On March 13, over 150 Silicon Valley leaders gathered in Palo Alto, CA to try to tackle a long-term problem that affects each one of us. They weren’t venture capitalists or CEO’s, engineers or tech gurus seeking to address the looming traffic jam on the web, or the effects of the economic temblors on high tech investment. They were citizens, school leaders, police chiefs, city managers and clergy members who came together to talk about how to deal with intolerance.
Blog
March 14, 2008 - 9:00pm
In January, over 200 students, faculty, and staff members gathered at Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY to launch their school’s first Not On Our Campus campaign. Patrice O’Neill, Executive Producer for The Working Group, presented the Not In Our Town film and shared stories about other Not In Our School/Not On Our Campus efforts around the U.S.
The audience, which included College President Philip A. Glotzbach and several of his cabinet members, engaged in an open discussion about how everyday acts of bias can surface on campus, how students can stand up to intolerance, and how Skidmore can be a model of acceptance and diversity. Skidmore students also created their own Not On Our Campus pledge, committing to speak up against hateful acts.
March 14, 2008 - 9:00pm
A new Not In Our School video of Palo Alto High students’ response to the tragic Oxnard, CA school shooting of Larry King is now on YouTube!
Now in its third year, the Not In Our School campaign in Palo Alto has become a new model for how schools can engage their students in learning, conversation, and action against hate, bullying, and bigotry. In April, The Working Group will document the Palo Alto Not In Our School campaign in a short film about how students can stand up when they are confronted with intolerance.
How has your school or community responded to this tragedy?
March 9, 2008 - 9:00pm
Patrice’s presentation highlighted excerpts of The Working Group’s films that have inspired communities around the country to respond to hate crimes in meaningful and constructive ways.
In February, Executive Producer Patrice O’Neill led a conversation on “Film as a Tool For Social Change” at the Boston Public Library as part of Facing History and Ourselves‘ Choosing to Participate exhibit. Choosing to Participate is an interactive multimedia exhibition that tackles issues such as violence, racism and hate crimes while profiling the compelling stories of individuals and communities who have confronted these challenges and had to make choices.
February 12, 2008 - 9:00pm
On February 12, 15-year-old Lawrence “Larry” King was shot in the computer lab of his school by a fellow student at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California. Larry died three days later.
According to friends, Larry was perceived to be gay and gender non-conforming, and had been bullied at school. The suspect, a fourteen-year-old student, has been charged with first degree murder, and the case is being prosecuted as a hate crime.