For Immediate Release

Not In Our Town: Lessons from a Community of Upstanders

BOSTON - On Saturday, May 3^rd, more than 75 parents, children and educators from Greater Boston will take part in the last in a series of Family Day events at the Choosing to Participate exhibit. Family Day puts the exhibit's stories, which relate to themes of hatred, racism, injustice, courage and compassion, into context for younger learners, and engages family members in discussions about equality, democracy, and difference in the world. Choosing to Participate was created by the international non-profit organization Facing History and Ourselves and is on display at the Boston Public Library through May 20^th.

The May 3 event focuses on the Not in Our Town exhibit, which tells the story of how the town of Billings, Montana came together in response to a series of hate crimes in 1993. Together, families will have the opportunity to examine their own experiences through the lens of history. Parents will explore the way to talk to young children in kindergarten through sixth grade about the hard choices they face, while children will learn what they can do when they encounter issues of difference, prejudice, or exclusion. Through hands-on activities and a family tour of the Choosing to Participate exhibit, Family Day will help young students to explore essential questions about what to do when they see something wrong and what it means to stand up for someone else.

Choosing to Participate is an interactive multimedia exhibit and has won national praise for encouraging people of all ages to consider the consequences of their everyday choices and for inspiring them to make a difference in their schools and communities. Since January 2008, Choosing to Participate has attracted visitors from all over greater New England.

Family Day will take place at the Boston Public Library, Copley Square, in the McKim Conference Room, Saturday, May 3^rd, at 10am. For more information please visit www.choosingtoparticipate.org [1].