Number 1

A group of five middle school boys and girls were concerned about racial conflicts in the school. One of them had heard about a group of athletes that comes to middle schools and talks with students about prejudice and racism. They wanted to bring this group to their school. They met with the assistant principal and a guidance counselor and got their help in arranging an assembly. They raised money for the speakers by having a bake sale and by asking some business people to help them. The speakers came and spoke to the students, and everyone was inspired by them.

Number 2

Martin, who is an eighth grader, saw a group of three elementary students picking on a retarded man in his neighborhood. The man was getting upset, and this made the children tease him all the more. It made Martin angry to see this. "Hey you kids, knock it off, or I'm going to come after you myself." The children saw who was yelling and ran off.

Number 3

Eileen hangs out with some girls who are very popular. They often tease and laugh at Soha, a girl in their class who wears hijab. Eileen hates the way they pick on Soha, but goes along with it because she really wants this group of girls to like her.

Number 4

Abdullah is new to the country and doesn't speak much English. He has been teased by a group of boys in school. Now, whenever he sees these boys coming, He walks away quickly. He tries never to be where they are.

Number 5

Jon is at his relative's house on Sunday afternoon. He's sitting with all the men in his family, watching the football game. One of his uncles starts to say racist things about some of the players on the team. Jon is uncomfortable, but doesn't know what to do. His father isn't saying anything either. Jon thinks, "If I don't say anything he'll stop. I'll just let it go. It's his house."

Number 6

In the study room some of the students are talking about how Muslim girls are slaves and making jokes. Mahmoud's face gets very red, and suddenly he blurts out, "My eldest sister is Muslim and she is studying biochemistry at university. You guys don't know what you're talking about so just shut up!" Someone says, "Okay, Mahmoud, relax!" The teacher comes in and the kids take their seats. Later, another student comes up to Mahmoud and says, "My sister goes to the same university as your sister. I was glad you told those kids to shut up."

Number 7

Ruth, who is African-American, is constantly in conflict with Isabel, a Latina girl in her grade. Ruth feels that Isabel is always putting her down and making racist comments about her. Isabel makes the comments in Spanish, so Ruth isn't sure. Ruth likes to go to the Youth Center, but doesn't feel comfortable when Isabel is there. She is tired of these conflicts, so she approaches Isabel one day. "Look," she says. "We really get on each other's nerves. So I'll make a deal with you. I'll stay out of your way for the whole school day if you stay out of the Youth Center." Isabel agrees to the deal.

Number 8

One day Mario's friend Dan started making jokes about Italians, saying they were stupid and dirty. Mario, who is Italian, didn't say anything. But as he walked home from Dan's house he thought to himself, "I'm going to say something. I just need to calm down and figure out how I want to say it. Then I'm going to call him tonight."

Number 9

Because of surgery she had on her leg, Casel walks with a brace and a cane. Before the surgery she couldn't walk at all. Now she goes to a new school where a group of boys taunt her every day on her way to her sixth period class. She's tried ignoring them, but they keep doing it. One day she sees one of the boys in the library, sitting by himself. She goes up to him and says, "Why do you and your friends pick on me? I never did anything to you." The boy mumbles an apology. "Will you stop?" Casel asks. The boy agrees, then leaves.

Number 10

The students in one middle school stick pretty much with their own racial and ethnic group. They don't mix much, and when they do, it's often because they're in conflict. But one of the teachers has organized a project to paint a mural on the side of the school. Eight students have been chosen to design and paint the mural. They are students from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and they have to make decisions together and work together. As a result of working on the project, they get to be friends and start hanging out together.