The Brush English Department recently accepted an invitation to participate in a special writing program sponsored by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in collaboration with non-profit organization Lake Erie Ink, that will provide students the opportunity to explore the history about the Holocaust and Civil Rights, learn from professional writers, and finally, create and submit an essay advocating for change. This exciting learning activity was made possible due to the strong relationship forged between the Brush English Department, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, and Lake Erie Ink over the last several years. Brush students in American Literature, Modern Literature, and AP English Literature classes will participate in the Youth Speak Out Essay Writing Workshop, part of the Stop the Hate program, which is an immersive anti-bias learning experience that encompasses history, literacy and arts-based education. Before beginning the workshop, students will take the Stop the Hate Digital Tour, an online journey that features historical documents and artifacts, engaging activities, and opportunities for reflection regarding the existence of intolerance and oppression in our world.
Students will then receive professional writing instruction from Lake Erie Ink teaching artists over the course of six class periods during the months of October and November 2020. During each session, students will share reactions to the digital museum tour and discuss discrimination they have witnessed or personally experienced. Students will also write an essay, with feedback, sharing their personal story and ways to address intolerance and inequality. A national group of volunteers will judge all essay entries, with the highest scoring 11th and 12th grade entries moving on for consideration to be published on the official Stop the Hate award website in May 2020. Thank you to the Brush English Department for their efforts in providing our students this exciting learning opportunity!