Narrative Change
The human brain loves stories, known as “heuristics” in psychology. These stories help us understand the world and make decisions quickly. But false stories can mislead us and harm our relationships. We need to change our stories in schools, media, and families to eliminate harmful beliefs. True storytelling will change our perspectives and behaviors, helping us create a fairer society. Changing the narrative is crucial for promoting fairness and understanding.​
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We use this understanding to support rewriting narratives and truth-telling in our region, such as filming documentaries, producing school curricula, and showcasing local stories.
"Battle Creek Did Not Burn"
The city of Battle Creek, MI did not burn during the Civil Rights Movement, but it was not exempt from the challenges of the 1960s, including discriminatory practices and social injustices. The 'Battle Creek Did Not Burn' oral history project aims to rediscover, record, and share these vital stories of resilience and determination. This project, which highlights just a few of Battle Creek's untold stories during the Civil Rights Movement, was made possible through the generous funding from the Binda Foundation.
This project is a collaborative effort between BCTRHT, JR Reynolds, and Tynisha Dungey. Thanks to Cloudy Productions for the production of this film.
Lesson Plans
In an effort to make the stories in this film accessible to youth, we developed a lesson plan starter kit for grades 6-8. This starter kit provides three lesson plans, worksheets, and modifications for learners with IEPs. These lessons can easily adjusted for grades K-5 and 9-12.
We hope that these lesson plans will be used as a starting point for a unit regarding civic engagement, building community, and how each of us plays a vital role in civil rights.
