Pope Francis reiterates his call to abolish nuclear weapons

"With deep conviction, I wish once more to declare that the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home. The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral, as I already said two years ago. We will be judged on this. Future generations will rise to condemn our failure if we spoke of peace but did not act to bring it about among the peoples of the earth. How can we speak of peace even as we build terrifying new weapons of war? How can we speak about peace even as we justify illegitimate actions by speeches filled with discrimination and hate?"

-- Pope Francis, speaking this week in Nagasaki, Japan

Veterans for Peace takes action on Climate Justice

News came today from Veterans for Peace that VFP Executive Director, Garett Reppenhagen was arrested in Washington DC as part of the #FireDrillFriday action.  Today's action theme was the protection of the earth's water.  Here is what Garett said as part of his testimony:

'War is general is destructive to our planet in so many ways.  In Iraq, I saw firsthand demolition of utility infrastructure.  Destroyed plumbing made available clean water scarce and further damage to waste systems contaminated water supplies.  The fertile crescent was nurtured by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, now too polluted to swim in.  Today, precious few can even now count on something so simple as a safe cup of tap water.'
'When I came home, I became very self-destructive.  I was a sniper in Iraq and because I perpetuated those crimes, I felt a heavy weight of grief and guilt, and finding my way into activism started to save my life.  Repurposing myself and finding a new identity in the movement to serve this country in an HONEST way and protect my communities in a REAL way allowed me to start healing my moral injury.'

Teaching Environmental Justice -- a workshop in Austin by Rethinking Schools

Good news from the folks at Rethinking Schools:

Teaching Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Thursday, November 21University of Texas Austin College of Education

Dear Texas Rethinking Schools friends,
We are happy to announce that while in Austin for the National Council for the Social Studies annual conference, Rethinking Schools editor Bill Bigelow will offer a free full-day workshop on teaching about climate change and environmental justice on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 at the University of Texas Austin College of Education.

Sign up here.

Bigelow will introduce lessons from the Rethinking Schools book he co-edited, A People’s Curriculum for the Earth: Teaching Climate Change and the Environmental Crisis . Each participant will receive a free copy of the book.

Event Details

University of Texas Austin College of Education
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019

8:30am to 3:30pm

Ideal for in-service and pre-service teachers, other school staff, curriculum coordinators, teacher educators, school media specialists, and environmental justice activists.

Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Sponsored by the Texas Center for Education Policy, UT Austin College of Education, Environment Texas, and Rethinking Schools.

Space is limited, so sign up today

Meet the Teaching People’s History Team at NCSS 2019

And if you are going to the National Council for the Social Studies in Austin, Nov. 22-24, visit the Zinn Education Project booth in the exhibit hall, and attend workshops led by Rethinking Schools editors, Adam Sanchez, Ursula Wolfe-Rocca, and Bill Bigelow.
More details here.

Being Bilingual is a Superpower!

This is true!  If you grow up speaking and understanding two or more languages, please hang onto them.  This will be a lifelong advantage in any career -- and in life in general!