Avoid Fueling Polarization When Taking Action
This reading contains excerpts from researcher Arthur Brooks about types of activism that move beyond “us” and “them” narratives.
![Students in classroom setting.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-05/6-1-22FacH10814.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=uFU4RoiQ)
Telling Fact From Fiction on Social Media
Journalists and media professionals discuss the benefits and challenges of using social media to report and understand any fast-moving story.
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_610.jpg)
Durban Gay Pride Parade, 2017
On October 10, 1990, the inaugural Gay Pride Festival was held in Johannesburg. Since its inception the festival, highlighting the rights of gays and lesbians, grows in size and magnitude.
![On October 10, 1990, the inaugural Gay Pride Festival was held in Johannesburg. Since its inception the festival, highlighting the rights of gays and lesbians, grows in size and magnitude.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/2017_DurbanGayPrideParade2017_FH281935.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=15cVQ4IA)
Durban Strikes
The Durban strikes of 1973, and the subsequent formation of new trade unions, were instrumental in causing the first seams of apartheid to break apart.
![The Durban strikes of 1973, and the subsequent formation of new trade unions, were instrumental in causing the first seams of apartheid to break apart.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Democracy_1973_DurbanStrikes_FH282023.jpg?h=ae1281eb&itok=_wD8vdVT)
Frances Baard
Frances Baard (1909–1997) worked as a domestic servant and then a teacher before turning to activism as a result of her experience of oppression and exploitation in South Africa.
![Frances Baard (1909–1997) worked as a domestic servant and then a teacher before turning to activism as a result of her experience of oppression and exploitation in South Africa.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Democracy_1960_FrancesBaard_FH281818.jpg?h=04d92ac6&itok=Lpncs4vZ)
Francis William (F.W.) Reitz, ca. 1895
Francis William Reitz served as President of the Orange Free State from 1889 to 1895. Prior to that, he was the state’s first Supreme Court Chief Justice, serving from 1876 to 1889.
![Francis William Reitz served as President of the Orange Free State from 1889 to 1895. Prior to that, he was the state’s first Supreme Court Chief Justice, serving from 1876 to 1889.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Francis_William_Reitz.jpg?h=31c6e7c0&itok=pC8Q6b4U)
Girl Walking to School, Mthatha
A child walks to school through the barren village of Qunu, South Africa, located just outside of the town of Mthatha.
![A child walks to school through the barren village of Qunu, South Africa, located just outside of the town of Mthatha.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Democracy_2013_GirlWalkingtoSchoolMthatha_FH281816.jpg?h=a5f2f23a&itok=lR43Ngto)
Indian Fruit Sellers
Indian merchants, who initially operated in Durban, expanded inland to Transvaal, establishing communities and settlements between Johannesburg and Durban.
![An uncovered outdoor fruit market with baskets of fruit on the ground and men, women, and children buying and selling fruit.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Fruit_Sellers.jpg?h=6cdbe7d1&itok=DT4ST3_W)
International Youth Year: Rally
The International Youth Year Rally (1985) was organized by the United Nations with the goal of raising awareness on issues concerning the abuse and mistreatment of youth worldwide.
![Poster shows two young women with their fists raised and includes details about the rally.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/International_Youth_Year_Rally.jpg?h=7e1a8712&itok=D1FajPNe)
Map of Africa, ca. 1867
This nineteenth-century map depicts the known boundary lines, cities, rivers, lakes and elevation changes in Africa.
![Map of Africa, with distinct territories colored in red, blue, and yellow. Includes close up maps of Liberia and Egypt.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Map_of_Africa_1867_FH281157.jpg?h=9d370722&itok=dQfTYu2q)