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5 Timely Reads on Genocide
In response to the outpouring of discussion and debate following President Biden’s statement that Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine constitutes genocide, Facing History provides five reads to address crucial questions educators and their students may be asking.
In the wake of President Biden’s recent statement that Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine constitutes genocide, we are witnessing an outpouring of discussion and debate surrounding the implications of this charge.
What follows are 5 timely reads from Facing History’s archives that speak to crucial questions educators and their students may be asking at this moment. These pieces feature the voices of both educators and leaders in the fight to prevent genocide around the world, and address the following questions:
- What is the meaning of the word “genocide” and how did this concept emerge?
- How and with what tools can educators effectively teach about genocide today?
- What does it look like for educators and students to contribute to the movement to prevent genocide?
- Where Did the Word "Genocide" Come From?
This piece addresses the origins of the word “genocide” in the work of Polish-born lawyer Raphael Lemkin and explores some of the ways in which his work must remain alive in the modern world. - Genocide (Still) Matters
This piece explores the significance of survivor testimony for disrupting and preventing genocide, and also highlights a number of powerful lessons and videos that educators can use in the classroom to explore genocides past and present. - How to Choose the Right Images When Teaching about Genocide
Images offer an important entry to stories of genocides that foster empathy and curiosity about the experiences of others. However, images can also shock us, jolting us into the immense amount of human suffering that occurred and prompting traumatic experiences. This piece presents four criteria that educators can consider when selecting images to incorporate into lesson plans. - Interview with Rwandan Genocide Survivor Jacqueline Murekatete
In this Facing History interview, we spoke with internationally recognized human rights activist and Rwandan genocide survivor Jacqueline Murekatete. Murekatete is the founder of the Genocide Survivors Foundation which is dedicated to preventing genocide and supporting survivors in need.
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Genocide Education in Massachusetts: A forum for educators
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Boston, MA
With the recent passage of S2557, “An Act Concerning Genocide Education,” Massachusetts educators have been tasked with incorporating genocide and human rights issues into their classrooms. Join us for a day of learning and conversation as we seek to build a common understanding of the legislation and the resources we have to support you.
This event will be hosted in person.
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On-Demand
Virtual
Explore how we can engage with the history of armed conflict, reflecting on how and who we choose to remember, and how we can make the lessons of history feel relevant today.
Holocaust and Human Behavior
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Virtual
Registration has closed for this online course. Check Facing History’s upcoming professional learning events to view other courses.
Teaching the History and Legacies of Canada’s Residential Schools
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Virtual
In this interactive, facilitated online course, participants join a virtual community to explore the history and legacies of Canada’s Residential Schools, using primary source texts, survivors’ personal testimonies and live online learning classes that will equip educators to better understand the devastating history and the long-lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system, as well as Indigenous communities’ historic and contemporary fight for a promised education.
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