Appendix B

Introduction

The items in Appendix B are vignettes that provide some background to
teachers on issues and events of human rights and genocide. The vignettes are
not meant to be inflammatory, to intrude on the rights of others, or to promote
a hostile climate. These examples, selected because they serve to illustrate
events in the curriculum described in the History-Social Science Framework
for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, are not
inclusive of all events identified in the framework or the many incidents of
people’s inhumanity to one another throughout ancient, medieval, and mod-
ern history. These examples are only representative, and they do not reflect all
the information available on each issue or event. The extensive list of
“Curriculum Resources” included in this document can be used by curriculum
planners at the local level while they are designing curriculum or planning staff
development.

When studying issues of human rights and genocide, students should
constantly be reminded that events or violations of the past do not reflect on
the present-day Americans who are descendants of nationalities whose
governments were involved in violations. These Americans today should live in
harmony, respect each other, and protect human rights as citizens in a
democracy. The reaction to violations should not be further violations or acts
of terrorism. There is no excuse for terrorist acts.

In addition, students should learn of the positive actions taken by brave
and heroic individuals to protect human rights and prevent violations. These
heroes and heroines, through their stories, provide role models for all citizens.
Throughout the studies focus should not be lost on the objectives of the
curriculum, which are the study of the record and the cause and effect of
oppression of individuals and groups, the study of governmental means to
prohibit abuses of human rights, the encouragement of democratic values and
attitudes to foster respect for differences among people and for the rights of all
people, and the responsibility of citizens in a democracy to work for human
rights.

Through the study of history we can teach our students their rights and
responsibilities and fill them with a feeling of hope for a better world.

We’re not the only people who have had to suffer. There have always been
people who have had to. Sometimes one race, sometimes another, and yet-1

know it’s terrible trying to have faith, when people are doing such horrible___

But you know what I think sometimes? 1 think the world may be going through
a phase, the way I was with Mother. It’ll pass. Maybe not for hundreds of years,
but someday. I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at
heart. - THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

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