2018 Midterms and 2020 Presidential Election: How These Elections Broke Records
As our nation becomes more diverse in a variety of ways, our national politics is starting to catch up to those demographics. The 2018 midterm elections broke records and barriers in terms of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other aspects of identity. The incoming House of Representatives (116th Congress) is the most diverse class in history.
Along the same lines, the slate of 2020…
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Florida State Senator Uses Racial Slurs
On April 21, 2017, a Florida state senator resigned his office because of a controversy that involved him using slurs in the presence of two other lawmakers, specifically using racial slurs for Black people, derogatory language about women and engaging in other vulgar language. In his resignation letter, Senator Frank Artiles wrote: “My actions and my presence in government is now a distraction to my colleagues, the legislative process, and the…
In April 2016, the United States Department of Treasury announced plans to make several changes to American currency. The proposals constitute the most sweeping revisions in almost one hundred years. Among these changes, the $20 bill, which previously pictured Andrew Jackson on the front, will now feature Harriet Tubman, the former slave and abolitionist. In addition, the $5 and $10 bills will be updated to include other women and civil rights leaders. The final redesigns will be…

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School
COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language Teaching Opportunity: Exploring the Electoral Process
Political debates can provide important learning opportunities. When election time comes around—whether it be a presidential election or a local contest for mayor, city council member, governor or member of Congress—these debates give teachers an opening to explore candidates, issues and the electoral process with…
ADL is pleased to offer a lesson plan that pays tribute to the life and accomplishments of Shirley Chisholm. In November 1968, just seven months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress, bringing new hope and renewed strength in the struggle for civil rights.
This unit offers high school students an opportunity to learn about Shirley Chisholm, a civil rights leader and the first African American woman elected…