National Culture Week: April 19th - 23rd
Standing Up Against Hate, Racism and Discrimination. Changing The Culture With Diversity, Inclusion, Equality, Equity, Civility And Unity Becomes Our Destiny
What Is National Culture Week?
National Culture Week provides an opportunity for youth to share and learn from each other's diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences. The discussions that flow from this week gives students the opportunity to get to know others for who they really are.
Our first and second Culture Weeks were such hits that even more schools have signed up to join us. Students, administrators and educators shared their stories of growth and transformation with us and each other. It is a testament to today’s youth who truly embrace the challenge to change the culture.
Culture Shock Program Livestream on April 21st
On April 21st from 10:30 - 11:15 AM EST, our Culture Shock program will be livestreamed to schools across the country and beyond. This year's moderator is Logan Browning (Dear White People) and panelists include: Katherine McNamara (Actress, currently stars in the CW’s “Arrow” as 'Mia Smoak (aka Blackstar)'), Michaela Jaé Rodriquez (Actress, "Pose"), Jordan Fisher (Actor and singer "To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” & “Work It”, soon to be on The CW’s “The Flash"), Hudson Yang (Actor, "Fresh Off The Boat", upcoming "The Ray"). The entire National Culture Week, April 19th - 23rd, will be full of opportunities to learn, grow, increase understanding and erase judgement.
Why We Created National Culture Week
STOMP Out Bullying’s founder and CEO Ross Ellis was walking down the street and overheard some teens talking about a terrorist in their class. She introduced herself to them and asked about the alleged terrorist. They told her that a kid in their class wore a turban and they automatically assumed he was a terrorist. Ellis explained that he wears a turban because it’s part of his culture and that he is not a terrorist. At that very moment she knew it was time to educate our youth about different cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations; and created National Culture Week and its premier event Culture Shock.
The world is more interconnected today than ever before, and yet we still see cultural misunderstandings that can at best cause confusion and hurt and at worst, in extreme cases, violence and death.
Education is prevention! Understanding different cultures is critical and promotes an enriched and peaceful coexistence.
As we learn about diverse cultures, it is key to note that all of us are individuals. Rather than generalizing, we should treat each other as individuals, see people for who they really are, and seek to understand. This will go a long way in creating a better environment where we can all thrive.
What is Culture?
Culture is everything that describes a particular group of people. The group can be a family, a religious group, or people from a different town, neighborhood, country, or city. It can also be people who share a similar ethnic background or life dynamics. or work culture.
One person can have diverse cultures such as; family culture, religious culture, race culture, as well as various sexual orientation and genders. When all these cultures are combined, they give each individual their personal culture.
What are the Benefits of Learning Different Cultures?
In today’s ever-changing world, people all over the world are fast realizing the importance of learning, understanding, and appreciating diverse cultures. Why is this necessary? It plays a major role in developing communities that excel in problem-solving and enhancing varying conditions.
Let’s discuss the benefits of understanding different cultures.
Some of the most commonly presented benefits include getting to know the world better, meet and get to know new people, have new and interesting experiences, try new cuisines and in general stimulate the mind.
Less discussed but increasingly - and vastly - more important are the benefits that directly oppose the waves of cultural hatred and violence born of divisions we are seeing today.
When you learn about different cultures, you help to minimize stereotypes. You help prevent and overcome ethnic and racial divisions. You learn to communicate more effectively and listen to others with the intent to understand, not just hear. You will be more accepting of diversity, curious and globally aware.
Remember, It Is A Two Way Street
And lastly, you are not the only person learning. Others are learning about YOUR culture from YOU. They are learning a lot about it. If you have an outlook of judgement and intolerance, that is what they will learn. Instead, let them learn that you are curious, interested, open minded and tolerant.
Calling All Schools: Be a Part of The Solution
Grab a pen, here are the important details you need to know about National Culture Week.
- National Culture Week™ will take place from April 19th - April 23rd. The focus of this initiative is to spark a conversation among youth about the need to change the culture from one of cruelty to one of kindness and inclusivity. National Culture Week provides an opportunity for youths to share and learn from each other’s diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences ...not judge them because they look different.
- The livestream “Culture Shock” panel will be live on Wednesday, April 21 from 10:30 - 11:15 AM EST. Registered schools will receive a guide and be able to participate.
- YOU MUST REGISTER as a Culture Week Ambassador School to be a part of the week and events and receive the link to Culture Shock.: It’s fast and easy, and opens up a literal world of opportunity to your school and students.
- As a registered National Culture Week Ambassador, your school will be recognized on our website.
- A link to the event will be sent to you along with the week’s guidelines via email.
You can learn more about how STOMP Out Bullying is Changing The Culture of hatred and intolerance here, about how to see each other as we all truly are here, and see the schools that are already registered to participate in National Culture Week here.
We can’t wait to have you join in and spread the messages of understanding, tolerance and truth forward.
About STOMP Out Bullying™
STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national anti-bullying and cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S, recognized as the most influential anti-bullying organization in America.
It is dedicated to changing the culture for all students, and works to reduce and prevent bullying, cyberbullying and other digital abuse, educates against homophobia, LGBTQ+ discrimination, racism and hatred, and deters violence in schools, online and in communities across the country.
In this diverse world, STOMP Out Bullying™ promotes civility, inclusion, equity, and equality for all and teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying, as well as educating kids and teens in school and online. It provides help for those in need and at risk of suicide.
Supporting STOMP Out Bullying™
You can help kids feel safe by supporting STOMP Out Bullying™. We receive no local, state or government funding. Please continue your support by donating to our efforts. Funds raised for STOMP Out Bullying™ go towards assisting students in need of help and those who are at-risk of suicide. The more you give, the more students we can reach and we can strengthen and grow our programs.
Funds also support the HelpChat Line, in-school education, changing the culture and other prevention programs; as well as public awareness and education, a dedicated website, brochures, an Educator's Bullying Prevention Toolkit and additional education and bullying prevention resources and materials.
The STOMP Out Bullying™ HelpChat Line
You are not alone! We’re here to help!
The goal of the STOMP Out Bullying™ Live HelpChat Line is to help youth ages 13 to 24 reduce the stress, depression and fear you are feeling as a result of being bullied and to empower you to make healthy decisions.
https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat
BONUS: Registered middle school and high schools can participate in the live-stream event, be recognized on our website, help foster communication and exchange of ideas, and play a crucial part in building a stronger understanding of the challenges faced by the youth of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Register here.
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