The Birmingham Pledge: Educators

A Teacher's Guide to the Birmingham Pledge How have educators used the Birmingham Pledge? The Birmingham Pledge has been used often in public and private primary, intermediate,and secondary schools. Several educators have indicated that they utilized the Pledge when studying conflict resolution, the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., Black History Month, cultural diversity, African American literature, and various other race related topics. These teachers repeatedly emphasized how helpful and important the Pledge has been as an education tool. Instructors put forth that the Pledge not only caused students to think about their own prejudice but often helped to facilitate discussions of race relations and to ignite further interest in fighting prejudice among students of all ages. Interestingly, students as well as teachers have been responsible for incorporating the Pledge into school programs. Many school based student organizations, such as Diversity and Conflict Resolution Clubs have held Pledge drives to spread awareness and racial tolerance throughout their schools and communities. One interesting story was that of a group of sixth grade students at Cavett Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska. The students felt very strongly about the negative impact of racism and wanted to do something to make a difference. When they discovered the Birmingham Pledge they made a commitment to gather 1,000 signed pledges within their community. Their efforts received a significant amount of attention within their area, and as a result, they were featured on a local news station, a local radio show, and were written about in a Headlines article. Ultimately, much of the support of the Pledge project has been found in public and private school systems throughout the nation. Education has consistently played an important role in instituting tolerance and understanding in America's youth, and by incorporating discussions of race relations into the study of history, literature, and other subjects, educators are able to promote open mindedness and acceptance in the context of human history and behavior. While the Pledge is only one small component of the fight to end racism, it serves as a useful tool for those who endeavor to make a difference in their own life and the lives of others. Click here to request a guide.

A Teacher's Guide to the Birmingham Pledge

How have educators used the Birmingham Pledge?

The Birmingham Pledge has been used often in public and private primary, intermediate,and secondary schools. Several educators have indicated that they utilized the Pledge when studying conflict resolution, the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., Black History Month, cultural diversity, African American literature, and various other race related topics. These teachers repeatedly emphasized how helpful and important the Pledge has been as an education tool.

Instructors put forth that the Pledge not only caused students to think about their own prejudice but often helped to facilitate discussions of race relations and to ignite further interest in fighting prejudice among students of all ages.

Interestingly, students as well as teachers have been responsible for incorporating the Pledge into school programs. Many school based student organizations, such as Diversity and Conflict Resolution Clubs have held Pledge drives to spread awareness and racial tolerance throughout their schools and communities. One interesting story was that of a group of sixth grade students at Cavett Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska. The students felt very strongly about the negative impact of racism and wanted to do something to make a difference. When they discovered the Birmingham Pledge they made a commitment to gather 1,000 signed pledges within their community. Their efforts received a significant amount of attention within their area, and as a result, they were featured on a local news station, a local radio show, and were written about in a Headlines article.

Ultimately, much of the support of the Pledge project has been found in public and private school systems throughout the nation. Education has consistently played an important role in instituting tolerance and understanding in America's youth, and by incorporating discussions of race relations into the study of history, literature, and other subjects, educators are able to promote open mindedness and acceptance in the context of human history and behavior.

While the Pledge is only one small component of the fight to end racism, it serves as a useful tool for those who endeavor to make a difference in their own life and the lives of others.

Click here to request a guide.