Golden Ambassador Toolkits

#BeGolden – a reminder of the Golden Rule

Across faiths, we are called to love our god and to build have regard for each other here on earth. This is summarized beautifully in many faiths by The Golden Rule. When you think about the members of your faith community and others you reach through your faith community, The Golden Rule is a beautifully central theme. Everyone can understand The Golden Rule, even if they do not feel part of a specific faith.

Yet, it can be easy for any of us to get caught up in the political, legal, policy conversations where it is easy to disagree. In contrast to The Golden Rule, we can easily find ourselves exposed to conversations, through media or in person, where groups of people are vilified for their backgrounds, cultures or beliefs. For a while now, we have been in a conversation that is heating up about immigrants. It’s a sensitive topic many feel passionate about, and it can be polarizing.

The #BeGolden campaign is a rallying cry to unite under the Golden Rule and remember to practice it every day, especially with those from different backgrounds. #BeGolden is not about politics or policies… #BeGolden focuses on the people involved. It’s a message of unity, civility and empathy.

We aim to educate and inspire people to remember The Golden Rule and to take action to help us build a stronger community.

#BeGolden does aim for changes to our system. We think everyone can agree, our current system is broken. #BeGolden advocates approaching immigration with The Golden Rule in mind.

Draft Pastor Script about #BeGolden to ‘make your own.’

Today we’ll talk about The Golden Rule. This idea to “treat others as you’d like to be treated” has been around for thousands of years, spanning across cultures and religions. We know this, we understand this, and yet, it can be hard to remember, especially when faced with tough issues.
As you know, the conversation around immigration has heated up recently. It’s a sensitive topic many feel passionate about, and particularly in recent months, it has become polarizing.
We need to talk about it and think about how we want to be in this conversation. Above and beyond the legal and political perspectives, our faith acknowledges we must focus on the people involved. We are called to recognize that, as fellow humans, we are all in this journey together.
Especially living in Dallas, where we are an increasingly important international crossroad in our nation, we are part of the immigration story that continues to unfold.

• 25% of our residents are from somewhere else.
• These neighbors of ours are 25% of people fill Science, Technology, Engineering and Math jobs.
• 36% of us speak another language besides English.
• And we depend on these residents for our health care, construction and other businesses. Here in our community, we are grateful to have __% of our staff having international roots.

Each of our families has a story of how we got here to the U.S., and each of us has family, friends, coworkers and neighbors who are from other countries who have been and are contributing greatly to our community! Each of us also has people in our lives who may be feeling unwelcome in the prevalent conversation. And many are scared about what is going to happen – including children who are overhearing things that are hard to understand.
[insert your specific related points of your faith here – and how the topic of immigration particularly impacts your faith community]
There is a group of faith leaders, as well as the City of Dallas, business and community leaders that are coming together to support those who were not born in the U.S. with a message of unity, civility and empathy – with an aim to build a stronger community that upholds The Golden Rule. It’s called #BeGolden. You may have seen something about it… some months back they lit the downtown skyline golden.
There is some great information there at begoldenjourney.com that can help us learn more about the facts and inspire us to live the Golden Rule. There are also some ways to spread the word, volunteer or participate in events around Dallas in early April.
For us right here in our community, I would welcome help in creating some events or discussions to help us show support those of you from other countries and to remind all of us to live the Golden Rule. Please let me know if you would like to help.

We can begin by affirming that the second great commandment – to love our neighbor – shows no partiality based on status. We can commit to treat all others as we would want ourselves or our own families to be treated if we ended up in the same situations, regardless of race, religion, status, or politics. We can also commit to one another that we will not purposely create further division, but rather to love one another and our international neighbors as we seek to be one body, united in faith and in Spirit through the bond of peace.

Resources:

People have always moved from country to country for a variety of reasons, and it is reasonable to expect this will continue to happen. For many faiths, immigration is a theme that comes up throughout our writings or scriptures. So how do we talk about it?

Help your members understand the importance of how we can aspire to treat immigrants in the way our faith proclaims. There are many resources available so do a little searching to find what most resonates with you. Here are some examples that may help:

Volunteer Scripts

8 Ways to Connect with Your Community:

1. Visit an ethnic restaurant.
2. Talk to someone born outside of the United States.
3. Volunteer or donate to a community organization that serves New Americans.
4. Attend a cultural event.
5. Share your ancestors’ immigrant story using #welcomingdallas.
6. Invite a New American to get involved in a community group that you belong to.
7. Share #BeGolden with others digitally and personally to help open minds and hearts.
8. Read a book or watch a movie to expand your knowledge on the culture and tradition of New Americans in our community.

Evangelical Immigration Table presentation:

Evangelical Immigration Table – free ebook “Thinking Biblically About Immigrants and Immigration Reform”

Graphics for your use:

8WaysToBeGolden.pdf
BEGOLDEN We Are All Golden yard sign.jpg
BG Color Palette.png
BeGolden – General Flyer – Espanol.pdf
BeGolden Info.pdf
BeGolden Purpose final.pdf
BeGolden Skyline & Logo.jpg
BeGolden Slide with general info.jpg
BeGolden stickers decals pop socket.jpg
BeGolden w hands, logo.jpg
BeGoldenSky.jpg
BeGolden_Brush_1.eps
BeGolden_Brush_2.png
BeGolden_Logo.png
BeGolden_LogoGold.jpg
BeGolden_LogoGold.png
Logo w latest hashtag.png
Scripts for Volunteers.docx
Welcome_Wall_Instructions.pdf

World Relief and Evangelical Immigration Table presentation

Catholic

• Pope Francis campaign to support immigrants www.sharethejourney.org or additional information at www.justiceforimmigrants.org
• Harry Gensler (Jesuit priest) is regarded as one of the best English-speaking Golden Rule scholars in the world and you can find many materials here: https://www.harryhiker.com/
• Daniel Groody, a priest at Notre Dame University doing work to open hearts and minds for immigrants.
  https://kellogg.nd.edu/people/rev-daniel-g-groody-csc
  https://theology.nd.edu/news-events/news/video-rev-daniel-g-groody-c-s-c-on-international-migration-and-refugees/
  https://evangelicalcatholicism.wordpress.com/2007/01/03/a-theology-of-immigration-by-fr-daniel-groody
• US Bishops 5 basic principles governing immigration law: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/churchteachingonimmigrationreform.cfm

New Americans
Our City of Dallas has a Welcoming Office that shares this document full of facts. Also, there is much more on their website https://newamericanscampaign.org

Bibles, Badges, Business & Boots
Since 2013, a network of conservative faith, law enforcement, business leadership, and veterans have come together to establish a new consensus on immigrants and America. This group of people has seen the changing face of America in their congregations, businesses and communities. Their response has been to advocate for policy solutions that will strengthen their communities and help new Americans attain the opportunities, skills and status to reach their fullest potential. https://immigrationforum.org/landing_page/bibles-badges-business/

Educational resources about The Golden Rule:

Here is a comprehensive listing that features interactive resources, meditation exercises, videos, multilingual posters, art activities, do-it-yourself workshops, slide programs, discussion questions, Golden Rule websites, books, toolkits, best practices, and school & youth group curricula: https://www.scarboromissions.ca/golden-rule/educational-resources

Representatives of the 13 religions featured on the multifaith Golden Rule Poster

Golden Rule Poster

The poster is available in English, Spanish and other languages and it features a view of the Golden Rule in 13 religions. #BeGolden has permission from copyright holder to download, forward, copy, post and print these posters free of charge.

English Golden Rule Poster is available free online
Spanish Golden Rule Poster is available free online

African Golden Rule Poster
Ambassador Mussie Hailu of Ethiopia is an internationally-renown in the fields of interfaith, human dignity, peace-building and Golden Rule. He has circulated 2.5 million copies of an African version of the poster around the world, including some in the language of Ethiopia, Amharic. http://www.scarboromissions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Amharic-Golden-Rule-Poster.pdf

Events

International Golden Rule Day is April 5!
Ambassador Mailu also founded International Golden Rule Day which is officially declared by the United Nations. More than 280 organizations in 160 countries to recognize and proclaim April 5th as the Golden Rule Day. https://www.goldenruleday.org This would be a great day to participate in #BeGolden activities in Dallas, so please watch the begoldenjourney.com site for more information to come about how you can participate that weekend.

Clergy #BEGOLDEN FAQs

The following examples of questions and how you might answer to address the common concerns you may experience with the #BEGOLDEN initiative. If there are other topics you would like to see covered, please contact jane@begoldenjourney.com so we can add them. We want to equip you well for this important discussion.

General Questions

Q: What is #BEGOLDEN about and who is behind it?
A: #BEGOLDEN is about living the Golden Rule – treating others as we want to be treated.

• For those of us in the Dallas area where we are culturally-diverse and a key part of the current chapter in our country’s rich immigration history, it’s an important time to share a message to treat all of our neighbors in a welcoming, caring way.
• We need to check our own thinking and actions toward others. (Do we ignore or are we open to others? Do we cast someone or some group of people in a negative light or let others talk that way in our presence? Do we spread unfair rumors and not bother to learn the facts?)
• The Golden Rule resonates with people of all faiths and even those who don’t claim faith.
• The aim is to educate, inspire and generate action to improve the treatment of immigrants.
• #BEGOLDEN is already lifting hearts of immigrants in the midst of the negativity they may face just knowing this initiative exists.

#BeGolden is created for and supported by the City of Dallas and civic groups, The Catholic Diocese and Catholic Charities and many different faith and interfaith leaders, The Richards-Lerma agency and The Belo Media Group and Dallas Morning News – as well as many business and community leaders. All agree, it’s time to build a more welcoming community for immigrants.

Q: How can we do more in our parish about #BEGOLDEN?
A: Find someone who has passion around languages and cultures of our neighbors from other countries – who may be immigrants. Encourage them to develop ways to bring people together to learn more about each other. Have them reach out to the contact on the website (info@begoldenjourney.com) for latest ideas.

Q: What can I do?
A: Many things. Here are some suggestions.

• Check your thinking:
  • We can often adopt uncritically the negative attitudes and stereotypes about those who were born outside of our country. The Golden Rule calls us to a different standard and helps us examine our consciences about how welcoming we are and how we treat all people.
  • Realize people from other countries are often here legally.
  • More likely than not, a neighbor from another country is a citizen or has a family member who is a citizen.
  • In Dallas, we depend on immigrants for 25% of our labor force – including are most skilled STEM roles.
  • Across DFW there are 36% of residents who speak a language other than English.
  • In Dallas, DACA households alone have nearly $700 Million in spending power each year.
  • While immigrants represent 24% of overall population in the Dallas area, they are 32% of entrepreneurs in our city (2016).
  • In Dallas and nationally, the majority of those born outside of the U.S. speak English well and nearly one in four adult immigrants have a college degree or more education.
  • Looking across the national, regional and local markets, immigrants pay more than $20 Billion in federal taxes and nearly $12 Billion in state and local taxes annually.
• Visit the website begoldenjourney.com and social media to keep learning more throughout the year.
• Smile at neighbors who are from another country – it translates beautifully. Show them kindness when they struggle with language or directions. Be curious and interested in their culture.
• Look for opportunities to listen to immigrants tell the own story of their own journey. Often this involves accounts of great courage and sacrifice undertaken on behalf of their children. This puts a human face and voice on an issue that can often lack this human dimension.
• Learn some basic words in a few languages – even if it’s just ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ it will make a big impression!
• Attend an event in another language and has features of another culture.
• Create a prayer group for immigrants – for solidarity.
• Have a potluck where immigrants can share their country’s cuisine.
• Don’t tolerate with negative comments about immigrants. Be kind – and say something.
• Talk up #BEGOLDEN and make others aware of it.
• Volunteer for #BEGOLDEN.
• Spread the word about the positive approach #BEGOLDEN is taking in this important conversation.
• Post a decal or sticker – share it via social media!
• Inspire your business or organization to become involved.
• Get creative with your own ideas!

In Case You Receive Some Tougher Questions.

Q: Why don’t they come legally like my ancestors did? Why don’t they get in line and wait their turn?
A: For many who immigrated in years past there were no restrictive immigration laws. People came as they wished. They might only be turned back if they were sick in some obvious way. For many, especially for low-skilled workers, there are very few visas available and waiting for one can take many years. There is no legal path of entry. Yet they face pressing situations of violence in their home countries or great economic distress which leads many to risk the dangerous journey. For those who have immediate family members and can get into the process, it can be expensive and take years or even decades to be able to come to the U.S.

Q: What if I don’t agree with #BeGolden?
A: Many individuals are focusing on the politics and legalities surrounding immigration – and it can be difficult to get past those important points and think about what it is like to walk their shoes. #BEGOLDEN is calling attention to how we think about our neighbors from other countries – who are often already citizens – and what we can do to make the situation better for everyone in our community. At the very least, we hope #BeGolden will help you to learn more facts and realize there is more to the story than seen through the media or heard from others. We also hope you will consider how your thoughts around immigrants may or may not fit with your faith or overall values.

Q: Don’t we need to protect our borders?
A: Yes. #BeGolden believes it is important to protect our borders.

And yet there is more to consider with the Golden Rule in mind. Many faiths state that because the U.S. is one of the more prosperous nations, we are obligated to welcome the foreigner to the extent possible. Some believe that a good government has two duties:

1. For those who seek security and means of livelihood they cannot find in their country of origin, welcome them out of charity and respect for the human person.
2. Work to keep families together.

The Golden Rule is not selective; we need open hearts and minds to be with people on their journey and strike an appropriate balance.

Q: Should churches and faith groups get involved in these kinds of politics?
A: We do not engage in partisan politics, but those supporting #BeGolden does believe we are called to speak to anything that relates to the dignity and respect of human life and the dignity of the family. #BEGOLDEN aims to reframe the conversation around immigrants with the Golden Rule.

Q: They need to assimilate. Can I wait until they become citizens before I help them?
A: Most would like to assimilate and to help them become part of the community so native-born citizens offering them basic hospitality is key in their journey. We are called to love each person unconditionally, and to welcome and help immigrants. (Remember, we have immigrants and their children to thank for about 40% of the most successful companies in the U.S., like Google, Apple and Intel and many other important contributions to the U.S.)

Q: Aren’t immigrants taking jobs that citizens could have?
A: Immigrants represent one in four people in our labor force and they contribute a great deal to our community. Their work is especially important to industries like construction, manufacturing, food service, retail, and health care. In addition, and we are seeing a growing number of independent entrepreneurs spring forth with immigrants. We are seeing information that shows they create more business by being here in our community and that some cities are recruiting immigrants to help revitalize their economy. Their presence in our economy is helping us to thrive and bring new businesses to Dallas.

Q: Don’t you think immigrants are a strain on our social services? Don’t you think they should pay taxes?
A: Foreign-born households pay more than $100 billion in income taxes according to a George Mason University Institute for Immigration research study. While foreign-born households may pay into public funds at a lower rate than native-born households in some states, they cover any use of public funds at the state and national level. Studies show that the contributions grow over time, and that comprehensive immigration reform would increase economic contributions.

Q: Are you saying we need to open our borders to more criminals?
A: Criminals in any population should be dealt with appropriately by law enforcement; this includes criminals among the undocumented. However, there is no available evidence to support the idea that undocumented immigrants commit a disproportionate share of crime. (According to New York Times and Cato Institute articles citing studies by the National Bureau of Economic Research.) While a few individual studies did find an increase in crime with an increase in immigration, there are 2.5 times as many findings showing that an increase in immigration correlated with a decrease in crime. Ultimately, though, the most common finding was that immigration has no impact on crime.

Q: Where can I research more?
A: There is a lot of wonderful information on the #BEGOLDEN website – begoldenjourney.com. There is a lot of wonderful information there and other sites. And there is much more in every library, book store, and across search engines.

Q: If more than one faith community leader is coming together to talk about #BeGolden, are there resources that talk about the Global interfaith movement and our commonality with The Golden Rule?
A: Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department in Toronto, Canada has committed itself to building a website featuring curriculum and useful educational resources for interfaith work. These resources include online courses, toolkits, best practices, do-it-yourself workshops, activities, multifaith prayer services, how-to-manuals, guidelines, games, starter kits, meditations, PowerPoint, etc.

• Principles and guidelines for interfaith dialogue: Insight into the interfaith movement and its treasure chest of wisdom and learning opportunities.
  http://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/principles-and-guidelines-for-interfaith-dialogue
• Interfaith curriculum and educational resources: https://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/curriculum-resources
• Global Church Dialogue: This collection of resources chronicles the Catholic Church’s 50-year journey of dialogue with other religions, a journey that began in the 1960s. Featured here are interfaith stories, theological reflections, and official Vatican documents. https://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/the-church-dialogue

Remember to reach out to
info@begoldenjourney.com if you have questions, additions or ideas for #BeGolden. Thank you!

Educators

Hello, Educators! Ready to help your students, their friends and parents, your co-workers and others learn more about one of the most important lessons of their lives? With #BeGolden, we’re bringing back the Golden Rule – something that everyone, regardless of their background, can connect to and understand.

#BeGolden exists to educate, inspire and generate

action to build a more welcoming community.

Why do we need #BeGolden?

We all need a reminder to think about others and how it feels to “walk in their shoes.” The Golden Rule teaches us to treat each other as we want to be treated: and #BeGolden is a great way to remind us all.

And when it comes to why it has a special focus on immigrants, it’s because Dallas is a big part of the unfolding chapter in U.S. immigration history. In every aspect of our lives, we can see that people born outside the of U.S. are an important part of our community. Yet, whether we are the immigrants, or we’ve grown up in the U.S., our community can behave in ‘not-so-golden’ manner. We’ve seen this happen again and again in our history, and each era our ‘New Americans’ help our country to change and grow in a way that keeps the U.S. a country of strength, freedom and abundance.

How do we take next steps?

Tap into the materials here for young children on up through students of higher education to create this important conversation in:

• your students,
• your classroom,
• and across your school or university.

#BeGolden works well alongside conversations about inclusion (or even bullying), and it addresses what it is like to be an immigrant or come from an immigrant family. We’ve kept age appropriateness in mind and encourage you to do what will work best for your students.

To get started, we recommend you engage a small group of other teachers or students to help manage the activity and keep it going. Get them involved in deciding what will work best. Then, build a calendar of messaging and activities. See how #BeGolden fits into your monthly gathering or annual festival. Don’t force it: be thoughtful about where it fits and keep a steady stream of messaging about it.

You’ll know you are making a difference when students are thinking about and asking questions like these:

Am I “Golden” in how I show up for others?

What can my class and I do to make a change?

How could my school make a difference?

Thank you for engaging in #BeGolden. Here you’ll find examples of messaging, graphics, ideas for events and activities, and more. If we can help you with anything else or talk with you about your ideas, please reach out to info@begoldenjourney.com.

Sharing #BeGolden

For the younger students, you’ll want to keep #BeGolden simple and focus on the Golden Rule. Introduce age-appropriate activities and lessons that inspire students to become more welcoming to others, especially those who have moved here from another country or are different in some way.

Goals:

• Sharing general understanding of the Golden Rule.
• Developing an understanding of social justice and our responsibility for the greater good (to the vulnerable, to uphold the dignity of work, and to preserve the unity of families).
• Providing facts about immigrants and the impact they have on our community — and how it differs from what we see in media headlines.
• Fostering good will towards immigrants and promoting ways our community welcomes them.
• Treating others with respect and fairness. We value Empathy, Compassion, Civility, Respect, Optimism, Unity, and Courage.

Messaging:

• #BeGolden exists to educate, inspire, and generate action to improve the way our greater community thinks about and welcomes immigrants.
• We are making strides toward a world where we treat everyone the way we’d like to be treated, and we encourage others to do the same.
• This is not a political discussion; we are talking with students about what it is to be welcoming, to each people who are different than ourselves (such as those who were born in a different country or culture) at a human level.
• Let’s create a healthier conversation and be open to what it is like to “walk in another’s shoes.”
• We respect every person.

Graphics:

8WaysToBeGolden.pdf
BEGOLDEN We Are All Golden yard sign.jpg
BG Color Palette.png
BeGolden – General Flyer – Espanol.pdf
BeGolden Info.pdf
BeGolden Purpose final.pdf
BeGolden Skyline & Logo.jpg
BeGolden Slide with general info.jpg
BeGolden stickers decals pop socket.jpg
BeGolden w hands, logo.jpg
BeGoldenSky.jpg
BeGolden_Brush_1.eps
BeGolden_Brush_2.png
BeGolden_Logo.png
BeGolden_LogoGold.jpg
BeGolden_LogoGold.png
Logo w latest hashtag.png
Scripts for Volunteers.docx
Welcome_Wall_Instructions.pdf

Lessons & Activities:
We framed these ideas in a way that makes it easy to connect the lessons to real life, create interactivity with students, and allow for their response and reflection. We provide recommendations from elementary through high school students, so please keep reading to find the level in which you are working. We encourage you to add your own ideas: and please send the most effective ones, or any other input to info@begoldenjourney.com.

#BeGolden reminds us that we can be more thoughtful about how we talk about immigrants, paying more attention to sharing what they contribute to all aspects of our society. In addition, we can recognize that there are some who need help, and we can inspire our students to take some sort of action to help immigrants in need.

Appreciate their contributions:
When it comes to work, those born outside of the U.S. fill 24% of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) jobs and are 32% of business owners and 25% of construction, manufacturing, healthcare and food service workers. And with the Dallas economy growing, we need more people to work in roles of all skill levels.

Help those in need:
At the same time, there are immigrants who are in need. Some of the activities suggested would be ways that students could help them. Remember, it’s important to state we are called to help each other. To make it most effective, please choose an activity or add an element that allows students to see how they made a difference. (Perhaps they could get photographs of items being used or letters from recipients about it – or have someone from the organization speak to their class.)

• Create books for orphans in another country. See ideas at character.org (Grades Pre-K – 4, 5 – 8, 9 – 12)
• Have a community ‘potluck’ dinner where families share how they or their relatives came to the U.S. (Grades Pre-K – 4, 5 – 8, 9 – 12)
• Blanket collection (Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
• Eyeglasses collection (Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
• Make encouraging bookmarks for those learning the English language. (Grades Pre-K – 4)

Bring students together in new ways.

• Strength Finder type exercise. (Here are some free ones to check: http://www.personal-success-factors.com/6-best-free-strengths-test-sites/) See how we are an important part of the community. (Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
• Language immersion experience – read a book in two languages or attend an event that is not in English. (Grades Pre-K – 4, 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
• Write their family heritage story. (Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
• Have a speaker or have students do research and provide discussions or reports to share on topics like:
  • How our problems are similar or different from other countries’ problems. (Grades 5 – 8 and 9 – 12)
  • How to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S.
  • What could we do to create more inclusion, more peace? (Grades PreK-4, 5-8, 9-12)
  • How can we protect the Earth’s resources and how does international trade and immigration help?
• Consider this game: The Passage, An Awareness Game Confronting the Plight of Refugees: (http://www.unhcr.org/473dc1772.pdf). It could be adjusted to be more about immigrants at large (not specifically refugees). (Grades 9 – 12)
• Another idea relates to the attached photo about a card game called More Than One Story. The game shows there is more to learn about each person that our surface assessments can tell us and, that we all pretty much want the same things out of life and have more in common than we may realize. Perhaps it could be a class project to make their own deck, having small groups come up with questions and translations.
  You can create your own decks using resources like https://www.makeplayingcards.com/promotional/business-playing-cards.html— and there are undoubtably others to be found. Students could see and feel a concrete impact they could make with this project. (Grades Pre-K – 4, 5 – 8 or 9 – 12)
• View more about the history of immigration at https://www.tenement.org/ Have one of your students load their family item and story and allow the whole class to experience the process. And in this section, there are some lesson plans as well: https://www.tenement.org/education_lessonplans.html
• Another exercise starts with this prompt: What do you think others think when they first see you? Have them write down their responses and add them anonymously to a jar. Pre-populate the jar with answers related to immigrants (or other similar topics) and how people might misjudge them. Read the answers out loud to fuel a discussion on misconceptions.
• Find a speaker who is involved with helping immigrants in some way, who can present a balanced view about immigration policies and stories that happen every day. This can help students to see the issues around immigration in a way that honors the people.
• Leverage your teachers/professors who may have some moving immigration stories they can share. It is very powerful for students to hear personal stories from people they know. Encourage all to weave your own stories into what you are teaching/sharing.
• Keep searching and bring your community together to discuss and find or create even more ideas!

Books:

All Ages

Giving Tree

Elementary

A Chair for My Mother, Vera B. Williams (Grades K – 2)

Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg (Grades K – 2)

Hannah is my Name, Belle Young (Grades 3 – 5)

Listen, Slowly (Vietnam), Thanhha Lai (Grades 3 – 5)

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry (Grades 3 – 6 and 5 – 6)

One Green Apple, Eve Bunting (Grades Pre-K – 2)

Return to Sender (Mexico) Julia Alvarez (Grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8)

Save Me a Seat (India), Gita Varadarajan (Grades 3 – 7)

Sneetches, Dr. Suess (Grades K – 2)

Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, Hope in the New Land, John Coy, photos by Wing Young Huie (Grades K – 4 and more)

Those Shoes, Maribeth Boelts (Grades 2 – 4)

Middle School

It Ain’t So Awful Falafel (Iran), Firoozen Dumrs, (Ages 10+)

I Lived on Butterfly Hill (Chile), Lee White, Marjorie Agosin, (Grades 5 – 9)

Look Both Way in the Barrio, Blanca (Mexico), Judith Robbins Rose (Grades 4 – 7)

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry (Grades 3 – 6 and 5 – 6)

Return to Sender (Mexico) Julia Alvarez (Grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8)

Save Me a Seat (India), Gita Varadarajan (Grades 3 – 7)
Shooting Kabul (Afghan), N. H. Senzai (Grades 5 – 8)

The Unforgotten Coat (Mangolia/Liverpool) Frank Cottrell Boyce, (Ages 8 – 12 years)

Walking Home (Kenya), Eric Walters, (Ages 10+)

Warriors Don’t Cry, Melba Pattillo Beals (Grades 6 – 8)

High School

Enrique’s Journey (Honduras), Sonia Nazario (Grades 9 – 12)

The Sun is also a Star (Jamaica/Korea), Nicola Yoon, (Grades 9 – 12)

For Adult and Higher Education, including Communities of Faith

The following resources will give you ideas and resources to consider for your environment. The following resources may provide some ideas about how you could help to spread the word about #BeGolden and enhance your students and associates understanding of immigration. Thank you for thinking about how you can integrate #BeGolden into what you are sharing. For further information or graphics or other materials, please reach out to info@begoldenjourney.com.

Here is a rich list of lesson plans and more, brought to you by the Golden Rule Project
https://www.goldenruleproject.org/lesson-plans

Share the Journey

In September of 2017, Pope Francis launched the two-year “Share the Journey” campaign, holding events and reaching out to support migrants and refugees in their own dioceses to raise awareness about their plight worldwide. There are many videos and other materials related to helping those who are finding their new place in the world at sharethejourney.org.

 Compassionate Cities

Both Dallas and Fort Worth are among the hundreds of Compassionate Cities around the globe. https://charterforcompassion.org And in DFW area: http://www.compassionatedfw.org/cities  Dr. Charles Barker (MD), President Compassionate (might be a wonderful speaker for a class)

www.compassionatedfw.org 972.835.2843 (m) burnerb2@gmail.com

A simulation exercise, helping students to understand what it is like to be a Refugee.

Tenement Museum

View more about the history of immigration at https://www.tenement.org Maybe you or your students could load their family items and story and allow the whole class to experience the process. And in this section, there are some lesson plans as well: https://www.tenement.org/education_lessonplans.html which may inspire something.

Fr. Harry Gensler

Fr. Gensler is a Jesuit priest and he is considered the number one English-speaking golden rule scholar in the world  https://www.harryhiker.com/  Find him on YouTube. Here is the shorter, 17-minute version of his Golden Rule talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DE3BqZC9A

Fr. Daniel Groody, Notre Dame
Professor of Theology and Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and the director of the Global Leadership Program within the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. He is a Catholic priest, a Holy Cross religious, and an award-winning professor, author, and film producer. Drawing on years of work on international migration and refugee issues, Groody has authored numerous books and articles, translated into seven languages, which include Globalization, Spirituality, and Justice: Navigating the Path to Peace (Orbis, 2007) and Border of Death, Valley of Life: An Immigrant Journey of Heart and Spirit (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002). He is also the executive producer of several internationally acclaimed films and documentaries, including One Border, One Body: Immigration and the Eucharist, and Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey. He teaches the courses “The Heart’s Desire and Social Change,” “Theology of Migration,” and “Christian Faith and Global Justice,” and he lectures widely around the world. Groody has worked with the US Congress, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the United Nations on issues of theology, globalization, migration, and refugees. In 2007–08 he was a visiting research fellow at Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre. He holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MDiv and a licentiate in sacred theology from the Jesuit School of Theology, and a PhD in theology from the Graduate Theological Union. Here are a few examples of what you can find from him online, and his books and DVDs are available for purchase.
https://kellogg.nd.edu/people/rev-daniel-g-groody-csc
https://theology.nd.edu/news-events/news/video-rev-daniel-g-groody-c-s-c-on-international-migration-and-refugees/
https://evangelicalcatholicism.wordpress.com/2007/01/03/a-theology-of-immigration-by-fr-daniel-groody

Bibles, Badges, Business & Boots

Since 2013, a network of conservative faith, law enforcement, business leadership, and veterans have come together to establish a new consensus on immigrants and America. These allies seen the changing face of America in their congregations, businesses and communities. Their response has been to advocate for policy solutions that will strengthen their communities and help new Americans attain the opportunities, skills and status to reach their fullest potential. https://immigrationforum.org/landing_page/bibles-badges-business/

 World Relief & Seek the Peace

World Relief is “overcoming violence, poverty and injustice through love in action.” https://worldrelief.org

Seek the peace is a “community of peacemakers and advocates seeking the safety, peace, and flourishing of refugees and immigrants.” https://seekingpeace.org/

Write to info@begoldenjourney.com if you would like to see a Powerpoint with an evangelical, Biblical view of welcoming the stranger.

Find a speaker within your community who is involved with helping immigrants in some way, who can present a balanced view about  immigration policies and stories that happen every day. This can help students to see the issues around immigration in a way that honors the people. This could be a fellow professor or staff member. Very powerful for students to hear stories from people they know or feel a connection with. Another thought: Pia M. Orrenius is at the Dallas Federal Reserve and is known across the globe for her knowledge.

Scarborough Missions

Golden Rule education resources

The following is a comprehensive listing of interactive resources, meditation exercises, videos, multilingual posters, art activities, do-it-yourself workshops, slide programs, discussion questions, Golden Rule websites, books, toolkits, best practices, and school & youth group curricula:    https://www.scarboromissions.ca/golden-rule/educational-resources

Educational & Interfaith Resources
In recent years, the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department in Toronto, Canada has committed itself to building a website featuring curriculum and useful educational resources for interfaith work. These resources include online courses, toolkits, best practices, do-it-yourself workshops, activities, multifaith prayer services, how-to-manuals, guidelines, games, starter kits, meditations, Powerpoint, etc., and you can see more below.

This organization offers wonderful lesson plans, ideas and tools.

Principles and Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue
This compendium of concise and handy resources provides insight into the interfaith movement and its treasure chest of wisdom and learning opportunities. This collection explores the goals, types and stages of dialogue and touches on issues such as interfaith etiquette, listening, peace-building, hospitality, respectful presence and dialogue-versus-debate. These principles and guidelines are useful for those who are new to interfaith as well as for veterans of interfaith work:  http://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/principles-and-guidelines-for-interfaith-dialogue

Interfaith Curriculum and Educational resources
Includes online courses, toolkits, best practices, do-it-yourself workshops, activities, multifaith prayer services, how-to-manuals, guidelines, games, starter kits, meditations, slideshows, etc.: https://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/curriculum-resources

Church and Dialogue
This collection of resources chronicles the Catholic Church’s 50-year journey of dialogue with other religions, a journey that began with the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. Featured here are interfaith stories, theological reflections, and official Vatican documents. This message is communicated through various media forms including videos, photo-essays, articles, lectures, photos, and compilations of historical milestones. While some of the material has a local focus, the reader will be left with an experience of the global interfaith movement and the global church in dialogue: https://www.scarboromissions.ca/interfaith-dialogue/the-church-dialogue

2.5 Million African Golden Rule Posters Circulated Worldwide
The Scarboro Missions multifaith Golden Rule Poster has gained international renown as an educational and interfaith resource. One of the contributing factors to this development is Ambassador Mussie Hailu, an internationally-renowned activist in the fields of interfaith, human dignity, peace-building and Golden Rule. He is based in Ethiopia. Mussie produced a variation of the Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster and has circulated 2.5 million copies of it across Africa and around the world in English and Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia (more below). See the African poster in Amharic here: http://www.scarboromissions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Amharic-Golden-Rule-Poster.pdf

International Golden Rule Day
Ambassador Mailu also founded International Golden Rule Day which takes place annually on April 5 and which is UN-blessed. Mussie has managed to get more than 280 organizations in 160 countries to recognize and proclaim April 5th as the Golden Rule Day. Last year’s Golden Rule Day featured a highly successful 24-hour webcast featuring golden rule and compassion programs around the world. You can view the entire webcast here:  https://www.goldenruleday.org/transmission. Mussie Hailu has also created the Goodwill Ambassador Award for Golden Rule Programming which honors individuals and organizations around the world who are doing outstanding work in promoting the practice of the Golden Rule. Scarboro Missions has received this honour as well as veteran Toronto interfaith activist, Leslie Mezei.

About the Amharic Language
Amharic has the distinction of being both a Semitic and an Afro-Asiatic language. That’s because its roots can be traced back 2,000 years to the Middle East. In fact, it’s the second-most spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic. Amharic is the official working language of Ethiopia. In that country, approximately 17.5 million people speak Ahmaric as their first language and many as their second language. Outside Ethiopia, an estimated 2.7 million emigrants speak Amharic.

Interfaith activity in Africa – and some Golden Rule connections
The three links below will give you a sense of interfaith & golden rule activity in two African countries – Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. These links come to us compliments of Libby and Len Traubman, two California (USA) interfaith activists who focus on conflict transformation. Libby and Len facilitate the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue. Established in 1992, this dialogue promotes principles of universal cooperation, respect among diverse peoples and respect for the Earth. They have also facilitated dialogue events in Africa between Muslims and Christians. These three links feature articles, reports, photos and face-to-face reconciliations in the context of the Golden Rule.

Northern Nigeria (Muslims and Christians)
https://traubman.igc.org/vidnigerianorth.htm#8

Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
http://traubman.igc.org/vidnigeriaivorycoast.htm#14
https://traubman.igc.org/vidnigerianorth.htm#8     

More about Mussie Hailu
  Ambassador Mussie Hailu is a peace activist working at national, regional and international levels for peace, reconciliation, interfaith harmony, disarmament, the Golden Rule, world citizenship, right human relationships, and international cooperation. He identifies himself as a Citizen of the World, strongly believes in the interdependence of human beings, and celebrates cultural diversity. He sees the differences in race, ethnicities, religions, politics, and nationalities as important elements of the one and indivisible humanity. Mussie, building on Scarboro Mission’s Golden Rule poster, has circulated 2.5 million copies of the African version of the poster. He has served African and global organizations, including United Nations agencies, and he is a founding member of United Religions Initiative (URI). Currently he serves as Global Envoy of URI, as regional director of URI for Africa and as representative of URI at the Economic Commission for Africa and African Union. You can contact Mussie Hailu at mussiepeace@yahoo.co.uk  

Golden Rule PosterRepresentatives of the 13 religions featured on the multifaith Golden Rule Poster
The Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster has been translated into more than 20 languages and has inspired the creation of a number of multifaith posters featuring themes such as children, welcoming the stranger, diversity, peace-building, ecology and unity. Attached are files of the Scarboro poster in pdf and jpg format.

Paul McKenna has been a leader at Scarborough Missions (which is soon closing; assets will move to Regis Jesuit College in Toronto). He is the copyright holder of the multifaith golden rule poster which has gained international renown as an educational and interfaith resource. The poster is available in English, Spanish and other languages. All are free to download, forward, copy, post and print these posters – including in volume, for no charge. Please write to Paul McKenna at interfaithgold@gmail.com or  info@begoldenjourney.com for the English poster in pdf and jpeg formats.

Spanish Golden Rule Poster (free online)
This Spanish-language multifaith poster features Golden Rule texts in 13 religions. Approximately 46 million people live in Spain. It is estimated that there are 550 million Spanish-speaking people throughout the world, most of whom reside in Latin America. You can view and download the Spanish poster free of charge. Click here:

https://www.scarboromissions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Spanish-GR.pdf

FAQs

It is important to align education leaders about how to talk about #BeGolden. These answers will provide you a good starting point about how to best respond to students and parents who have doubts or concerns. We live in Dallas and are in the middle of the current chapter in immigration history; we get to decide how we are going to think and act about our neighbors. Again, we welcome your input if you think we need to add to this list, or if you have suggestions about how we can improve this information.

Q: What is #BeGolden about?

A: #BeGolden is about living the Golden Rule – treating others as we want to be treated.

Because there is a lot about immigrants in the news today, it is an especially good time to share the message to treat our foreign-born neighbors in a welcoming, caring way. Let’s check our thinking and our actions.

• Do we ignore or are we open to others?
• Do we say negative things about people or let others talk that way?
• Do we spread unfair rumors without knowing the facts?

The #BeGolden initiative unifies people across many businesses, faiths and our Dallas community. #BeGolden is lifting hearts and minds and helping us to focus on people.

Q: How can we do more in our school/college/university about #BeGolden?
A: Here are some ideas, and we encourage you to help us build on these.

• Provide experiences that bring people together to learn more about each other.
• Visit com and #BeGolden on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Brainstorm ideas with students and teachers about how to improve your environment.
  Share facts from the website or write to info@begoldenjourney.com/ambassador to access the toolkit for more ideas or discuss your situation.

Q: What can I do?

A: Many things. Here are some suggestions.

• Smile at neighbors who are from another country – it translates beautifully. Show them kindness when they struggle with language or directions. Be curious and interested in their culture.
• Learn more facts by visiting and following com and #BeGolden on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
• Tell people what you have learned from #BeGolden and inspire them to learn more.
• Learn some basic words in a few languages – even if it’s just “hello” or “thank you,” it will make a big impression!
• Go to an event in another culture/language from your own to increase your understanding.
• Have a potluck so students and teachers can share their heritage and favorite kinds of food.
• Whenever possible, find ways to recognize the contributions of immigrants in your community.
• Don’t put up with negative comments about immigrants when they are shared in your presence.

Some Tougher Questions.

Q: What if I don’t (or my parents don’t) agree we should welcome immigrants?

A: Many people are focusing on the politics and legalities surrounding immigration. The #BeGolden initiative challenges us to think about the people involved, especially those who are our neighbors. #BeGolden is calling to attention to how we think about people  from other countries and what we can do to make the situation better for everyone in our community.

Q: Do we need to protect our borders, or should we open them?

A: #BeGolden believes we do need to protect our borders. We also believe we are obligated to welcome the foreigner to the best possible extent. Social justice calls for our government to fulfill these two duties:

1. For those who seek security and a means of livelihood that they cannot find in their country of origin: welcome them out of charity and respect for the human person.
2. Work to keep families together.

The Golden Rule is not selective; we need open hearts and minds to be with people on their journey and strike an appropriate balance.

Q: I thought our school shouldn’t get involved in political discussions. Why are we talking about immigration at all?

A: While we can all agree there are political, legal and policy changes that are needed, #BeGolden is focused on how we treat each other as fellow humans. We aim to live within the Golden Rule. This is an important conversation to have right now. We believe that education and experiences that help us to come together will benefit our community.

Q: What are they contributing?

A: Some immigrants may need help, especially when they first arrive. The system is overwhelmed, and it takes years to become a citizen. In the meantime, whether they are on the path to become citizens or already citizens, immigrants are providing services, paying taxes and are a big part of our workforce – and we need to get clear about that. Having this added resource in our community has helped us to bring many more companies to Dallas in recent years.

Q: Aren’t immigrants taking jobs that citizens could have?

A: Immigrants represent one in four people in our labor force and they contribute a great deal to our community. Their work is extremely important to construction, manufacturing, food service, retail, and health care, and we are seeing a growing number of independent entrepreneurs springing forth with immigrants. Immigrants, or the children of immigrants, started about 40% of the Forbes 500 companies. We have them to thank for companies like Google, Apple, and Intel and important contributions in science, math and other fields. And they bring more business to Dallas by being here in our community. Their presence in our economy is helping us to thrive and bring new businesses to Dallas.

Also, we believe that employers and workers are called to a mutually-responsible environment where people have the opportunity and obligation to work to their potential and to create a healthy working environment. The latest figures show that those born here and those who have moved to the U.S. are all needed in the current market in Dallas and the surrounding area. If we are in it together and focused on doing great work, our economy and our society can keep growing.

Q: I heard they can bring more crime. Is that true?

A: While we have heard this rumor, it is not true. There is no evidence that undocumented immigrants commit more crime. It has been confusing because a few individual studies did find an increase in crime with an increase in immigration, however, there are 2.5 times as many findings showing that an increase in immigration correlated with a decrease in crime. Most research shows that immigration has no impact on crime. (According to New York Times and Cato Institute articles citing studies by the National Bureau of Economic Research.)

Again, we hope you find these resources helpful. Please let us know if you have additional ideas that may help others or if you have questions about how you can introduce #BeGolden to your organization.

Thank you!