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Court TV's public service broadcast and education initiative, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" will premiere on Friday, October 4 at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) with a half-hour special on Court TV. Developed in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and a host of national educational organizations and foundations, the initiative was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks to help young people understand the consequences of hate and to learn important values of acceptance and diversity.
Geared toward elementary and middle school students, the initiative is the next installment in Court TV's award-winning public service program, Choices and Consequences. The "Empowering Children" initiative includes a written resource guide, companion video and comprehensive component on the Internet.
"Until we develop a vaccine against hate, the only proven antidote is education," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "ADL is proud to partner in this important Court TV initiative, and that materials from our A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® anti-bias program are central to the 'Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate' educational effort."
Why "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate?"
"Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" was designed to help children to learn about and discuss the difficult issues posed by racial and ethnic stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and scapegoating. The program was developed in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which resulted in a series of unprovoked bias attacks against Arab and Muslim Americans and other minority groups, including Jews.
Written resource materials developed by ADL will help children and adults to work together to develop skills and understanding that foster respect of one's self and others. The resource materials are available to parents and teachers on Court TV's Choices and Consequences Web page at www.courttv.com/choices and from ADL.
The 30-minute Court TV special focuses on children and teens discussing their feelings about acceptance and diversity post-September 11. Court TV anchors Catherine Crier and James Curtis host the special and, in a moving introduction, First Lady Laura Bush shares her perspective on the importance of talking with children about acceptance, particularly in the aftermath of hate. The program also focuses on artwork created by students who attended schools near the World Trade Center, reflecting themes of grief, healing and hope, presented through the ARTifact exhibition and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, on display in New York and Washington, D.C.
Who are the partner organizations?
The "Empowering Children" initiative is being produced in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, Cable in the Classroom, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Middle School Assocation, the National PTA and the We Are Family Foundation.
What was ADL's involvement?
The League produced the companion written resource guide for the "Empowering Children" series. The resource guide includes exercises and anti-bias training materials adapted from ADL's award-winning A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, which stresses the importance of respect, tolerance and mutal understanding at all ages.
ADL and Court TV have worked collaboratively in the past to produce public service programming and materials for children, parents and educators. In 1999, Court TV formed a public-private partership with ADL, AT&T, the National Middle School Association, Cable in the Classroom, Educational Development Center, U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice to produce "Opening the Door to Diversity: Voices from the Middle School."
How is Court TV alerting the public about this educational initiative?
Court TV will alert educators to this initiative via extensive outreach by ADL and the other partner organizations, targeting more than 60,000 elementary and middle schools nationally. In addition to the October 4 premiere on Court TV, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" will air for taping every Saturday in October at 4 a.m. (ET/PT), which is Court TV's regularly scheduled Cable in the Classroom time slot.
ADL's 30 Regional Offices across the United States will be involved at the local and national level in notifying educators, school districts and parents about this important national initiative.
What is Choices and Consequences?
Choices and Consequences is Court TV's Beacon Award-winning public affairs and education program that empowers youth to act responsibly and contribute positively to society. Through the use of communications tools, teachers, parents and caring adults are able to educate youth with information that is critical to their long-term well being. The overall goal of Choices and Consequences is to sensitize youth to the risks of aggressive, antisocial behavior with the realization that decisions made in a moment can have consequences for a lifetime.
Where can I find out more?
Court TV's Web site has a special section on the Choices and Consequences series at www.courttv.com/choices.
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