If a Bus Could Talk – A TPN Book Review

If a Bus Could Talk – A TPN Book Review

 If A Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold       If a Bus Could Talk is a creative retelling of the story of Rosa Parks suitable for upper elementary students. The story, which is a work of art, touches on many events in black history and would provide an excellent springboard to an indepth study of […]

TPN Black History & Civil Rights Activities

TPN Black History & Civil Rights Activities

~ Books and activities that address black history and the civil rights movement ~ Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack  Slavery -Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper  -Slavery UE/M -Day of Tears by Julius Lester  -Slavery -Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis  -Slavery -Freedom Summer […]

6 Things We Can Learn from Martin Luther King

6 Things We Can Learn from Martin Luther King

~ MLK’s Words for Today ~   Fifty-two years after his death, the words of Martin Luther King are still calling out to us to fix our society and make it just. Here are six things he said to inspire you to take action.   On Unions  Joining together gives people power. “Let it be […]

Book Review: Martin’s Big Words

Book Review: Martin’s Big Words

~ The Power of Words ~ It is impossible to listen to the news and not be struck by the way words are being used to cover up hateful actions and outright lies by our leaders and politicians. Words are powerful as Martin Luther King knew. The 2002 Caldecott Honor children’s picture book Martin’s Big […]

Book Review – Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea

Book Review – Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea

Solving Conflicts through Nonviolence  Nonviolence seems like a harmless idea rooted in compassionate and peaceful interests. Why is it then that practitioners of nonviolence are often seen as enemies of the state? Mark Kurlansky’s book  Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea illuminates that dark corner where economic, religious and state power often collude to […]

Muhammad Ali: A Man of Peace

Designated by the United Nations in 1998 as a UN Messenger for Peace, Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) is best remembered in his passing as a man dedicated to justice.  Six themes guided his life: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality. Combined they produced a man who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in […]

Teach Peace Now Recommended Books for African American History Month

  We March by Shane W. Evans is a book about standing up for justice written for our youngest children and for early readers. The soft pastel illustrations show a family as they wake up early in the morning, prepare for the day, and then join thousands of other people for the August 28th, 1963 […]

Martin Luther King on Injustice

Martin Luther KIng tells us… Injustice is…a threat to justice Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Injustice is…poverty & homelessness & starvation The rich must not ignore the poor because […]