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Upstander

/ʌpstandə/    noun
A person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being attacked or bullied.

Facing History and Ourselves celebrates the addition of the word "upstander" to the Oxford English Dictionary. Students in Facing History classrooms learn about the power of individual choices to shape history and explore how each of us can participate as citizens to create a more humane, just and compassionate world. With the readings and resources collected below, we invite you and your students to discover what it means to be an Upstander. 

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Facing History Upstanders in the News

"Wall Street Journal" Spotlights Upstanding Students
September 9, 2016

An “upstander” is a person who has chosen to make a difference in the world by speaking out against injustice and creating positive change. The term, coined by diplomat Samantha Power and popularized by Facing History and Ourselves, has now been recognized an official word in the English language. Columnist Ben Zimmer, who pens a weekly column "Word on the Street" for the Wall Street Journal wrote about the news that "upstander" will be added to Oxford Dictionaries. The two students behind the bill, Sarah Decker and Monica Mahal began their petition in their Watchung Hills Regional High School Facing History class more than three years ago. 

“Upstander” Added to Oxford Dictionaries
September 6, 2016

More than a year after the New Jersey State Legislature passed a resolution that urged Merriam-Webster, Inc. and the Oxford University Press to add the word “upstander” to their dictionaries, Oxford Dictionaries will officially add the word to this year’s dictionary. 

Facing History and Ourselves Selects "Upstanders" Against Injustice for South Main Mural
May 5, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Memphis's Facing History and Ourselves announces the people and groups who will be memorialized on the “Upstanders Mural," the South Main public art project.

New Jersey State Legislature Have Passed Resolution to Acknowledge the Term “Upstander”
August 6, 2015

The New Jersey State Legislature have passed on a resolution that urges Merriam-Webster, Inc. and the Oxford University Press to add the word “upstander” to their dictionaries.

Learn about Upstanders in History

Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War

A new film by Ken Burns, premiering September 20 on PBS stations nationwide.

Get inspired by the untold story of American upstanders who risked their lives to help desperate refugees. Our three lesson plans use excerpts from the film, personal letters, photographs, and thought-provoking questions to explore what motivated the Sharps, the dilemmas they faced, and the impact of their actions.

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Upstander Stories

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Holocaust
Memory and Memorials
Legacy

Lost Voices of the Holocaust: Students Memorialize a Young Boy, His Family, and the Town that Saved Them

Hear a how a teacher and her students rallied together to plan a commemoration in the Czech Republic for a Jewish family and the town that saved them during the Holocaust.

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Race in US History

Students Memorialize a Past Tragedy to Create a More Hopeful Future

Students in Memphis reconcile their community's past by creating a memorial for Ell Persons, who was lynched after being accused of murder in 1917.

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Behind the Essay: A Q&A with Student Contest Winner Cicada Scott

 2016 Student Contest Winner Cicada Scott shares more about what it's like to be a non-binary gender teenager in this Q & A.

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Meet the History-Makers of Tomorrow

Facing History and Ourselves celebrates upstanders of all kinds: those who stand up to injustice, those who seek to make positive change in the world, and those who spread messages of tolerance, empathy, and knowledge. During Women’s History Month, we are cheering on young women who are doing just that.

Here are three inspiring stories of young women who we have no doubt will be history-makers of the future. How do we know? Read about how they are already upstanders in their communities.

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Everything you need to get started teaching your students about racism, antisemitism and prejudice.