Successful Benefit Dinner Includes Powerful Message from Dr. Terrence Roberts

The Los Angeles Annual Benefit Dinner for Facing History and Ourselves on April 22nd at the Beverly Hills Hotel brought together 330 dedicated supporters and volunteers as well as new friends to celebrate the importance of Facing History's program, and to underscore the urgent need for financial contributions so that the program continues to thrive.

It was a magical evening with a powerful program of students, teachers, and featured speaker Dr. Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine, who along with eight other African American teenagers, helped to integrate Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. 

The program highlighted how Facing History is helping students become thoughtful, engaged global citizens. Stevie G., an 8th grader from Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, said of his Facing History class, "We are learning that doing the right thing is much different than talking about it. We gain a reason to want to do the right thing." (Watch a clip of Stevie) 

Phyllis Rosen, a teacher at L.A. Leadership Academy, is one of the many teachers whose careers are transformed by Facing History. Phyllis shared how a Facing History Holocaust and Human Behavior seminar was the tipping point in addressing her dilemma of whether to remain an educator or take a dream job as a sports editor at the New York Times. "The fact that I'm standing before you testifies to the power of that week," she said of her decision to stay in the classroom.

Dan Alba, Los Angeles Director of Facing History, introduced the evening by reminding us that democracy is fragile:

"In hard times, antidemocratic groups thrive. Earlier this month the Department of Homeland Security warned that the economy, the election of President Obama, and fears about immigration are fuelling recruitment efforts by right-wing extremist groups, with a 54% increase in hate groups since the year 2000. And who are the targets of their recruitment campaigns? The students in our high schools and middle schools today.

And those schools are at risk. Stressed at the best of times, here in Los Angeles our public schools are losing teachers and classroom resources when their work is more critical, and more difficult, than ever.

At this difficult time, Facing History and Ourselves is providing uniquely effective tools for those very teachers who are charged with the responsibility for inoculating our young people against those extremist groups, and against the racial, religious and ethnic stereotyping that catalyze their message of hate."

Dr. Terrence Roberts riveted the audience with stories about the choices he made as a 15-year-old in 1957, which required a commitment of courage most cannot imagine. The story of the Little Rock Nine is explored in our resources Choices in Little Rock.

Dr. Roberts reiterated what we had heard all evening-that knowing our history is crucial and the study of it should inform our choices. He encouraged everyone to participate in our community and support the mission of Facing History:

"We need friends. We need you to keep spreading the message, to bring others on board to help them understand the importance and the value of knowing our history. Why? Because we become the vanguard as we move further into this 21st century to alert those around us that we need to wake up and begin to understand how to make healthier choices as we move forth." (Watch Roberts' speech)

Here are some ways you can JOIN & SUPPORT OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY:

• Attend the Community Conversation with Peter Balakian on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Creative Artists Agency presented in partnership with The Allstate Foundation.
• Subscribe to Facing Today, an online resource that connects history to important issues today.
• Host a house party to introduce your friends and colleagues to Facing History.
• Visit a Facing History classroom and meet teachers like Phyllis Rosen from L.A. Leadership Academy and see Facing History's work in action.
• Introduce an educator to the work of Facing History.
• Join us for our next Raising Ethical Children event-our series that converges the lessons of Facing History and parenting.
• Visit one of our upcoming summer seminars for teachers on the Armenian Genocide, Choices in Little Rock and Holocaust and Human Behavior and witness first hand the power of Facing History's methodology.
• Help Facing History to continue developing high quality programs and resources to help students to confront prejudice, apathy, fear, and violence with courage and compassion. Secure gifts can be made online at www.facinghistory.org/giveagift.

For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Crystal Jones at (626) 744-1177 x22 or crystal_jones@facing.org.