This resource  looks at experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans, focusing on the 20th century and after: how their differences have been accepted or rejected by society, and the extent to which they have shared in the rights and opportunities afforded to straight Americans. The United States has always been a very diverse society, albeit dominated by straight white men of Western European descent.  In many ways, American history is largely about how the US as a country has dealt with this diversity and with human difference, and that continues to be the case today.   This resource thus seeks to inform contemporary debate, to help students and adults understand that variations in gender and sexuality are part of the human condition that should be more widely discussed and understood. And that these differences do not provide a basis for denying these Americans the American promise of full legal equality and opportunity without discrimination.  

This module will look at experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans: how their differences have been accepted or rejected by society, and the extent to which they have shared in the rights and opportunities afforded to straight Americans. The United States has always been a very diverse society, albeit dominated by straight white men of Western European descent.  In many ways, American history is largely about how we as a country have dealt with this diversity and with human difference, and that continues to be the case today.    This module thus seeks to inform contemporary debate, to help students understand that variations in gender and sexuality are part of the human condition that should be more widely discussed and understood. And that these differences do not provide a basis for denying these Americans the American promise of full legal equality and opportunity without discrimination.  

The Own It! Handbooks are guide books for a transformative after-school, trauma-informed enrichment program. The 21st Century Health  Challenges & Inequities handbook provides  lessons & activities about essential elements of the American health and healthcare system. In 2020, the strengths and weaknesses of American health care were brought powerfully into each home by  the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Like  prior 20th century health crises --the 1918 flu, polio,   AIDS -- COVID-19 represented a fundamental challenge to all Americsans. This Handbook seeks to help us better understand how our healthcare systems can better serve the American people.Own It! also nurtures academic skills, personal growth and leadership. It uses history to connect our past to our future, as part of the Own Your History® (OYH) Collection. But Own It! is not “school” and it differs from traditional approaches to history.  

OYH Multimedia Anthologies anthologies collect a range of materials for exploring OYH topics. They parallel and supplement the OYHL school modules, available as Open Education Resources. . Groups of all ages can explore & discuss these rich and varied collections for sharing reflections on aspects of U.S. history and deepening historical knowledge. They are also available through the OYH website, https://www.ownyourhistory.us/multimediaresourcesIn US history, land  ownership provides family security and cohesion, wealth accumulation, and social advancement. American law supports  these goals for most Americans, but often not for Black Americans or other communities of color. The 1960s Civil Rights Movement led to some positive changes, but  inequality continues. This module primarily examines housing and financing discrimination affecting urban Black families, in urban areas, it briefly considers rural Black property ownership.The resource focuses on housing and real property ownership because of the important role of a home as a basis for economic security, wealth creation, family relationships and stability.

In US history, land  ownership provides family security and cohesion, wealth accumulation, and social advancement. The American law supports  these goals for most Americans, but often not for Black Americans or other communities of color. The 1960s Civil Rights Movement led to some positive changes, but  inequality continues. This module primarily examines housing and financing discrimination affecting urban Black families, in urban areas, it briefly considers rural Black property ownership.The module focuses on housing and real property ownership because of the important role of a home as a basis for economic security, wealth creation, family relationships and stability. The country has a substantial social investment in existing housing and the color-based housing patterns that still result in significant segregation in most cities. It asks how to move toward a legal system, housing policies and practices of  genuine equality, opportunity, and freedom for all without separation by color in our cities and communities. While not addressing reparations for inequalities from enslavement and segregation, it  asks students to develop proposals addressing such inequalities.

This module focuses on four major health crises in this country since 1900: the 1918 influenza pandemic; polio in the 1950s; HIV-AIDS since 1980; and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Students will examine: (1) the extent to which some groups of Americans, particularly communities of color and low-income people, have been affected more severely than others; (2) medical, economic, social, and historical factors that affect health and healthcare, including access to good nutrition, good education, good neighborhoods, and a healthy environment; and (3) the possible effects of inequities and discrimination long embedded in United States’ society, such as legacies for African Americans from enslavement and Jim Crow segregation; conditions of Native Americans on reservations; experience of LatinX immigrants and migrant farmworkers; and conditions of low-income whites across the country, especially in Appalachia and rural areas.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic required every American to consider their health and the ways that American society and government contribute to our good health or bad health. This  explores Americans’ experiences in health crises since 1900 and  differences in outcomes, including death rates, among diverse groups in American society, especially underserved poor people and communities of color. It considers the nature, causes, and effects of inequities in healthcare. The goal is to understand what  affects your own health and health in your community, both now and in the future.

From its colonial beginnings, the US has had a highly diverse society, originating from around the globe.  Changing immigrant populations have continually challenged the country and fed intense debate & political efforts to restrict arrivals. Use the links to explore immigration impacts, migrants’ experiences, American nativism & changing laws.  Own Your History®  (OYH) MULTIMEDIA  ANTHOLOGYOYH anthologies collect a range of materials for exploring OYH topics. They parallel and supplement the OYH school modules which have been published as OER Resources. Groups of all ages can explore & discuss these rich and varied collections for sharing reflections on aspects of U.S. history and deepening historical knowledge. They are available  in the OER Commons, as well as through the OYH website, https://www.ownyourhistory.us/multimediaresources.

From its colonial beginnings, the US has had a highly diverse society, originating from around the globe.  Changing immigrant populations have continually challenged the country and fed intense debate & political efforts to restrict arrivals. Use the links to explore immigration impacts, migrants’ experiences, American nativism & changing laws. 

The Own Your History® (OYH) high school or college curriculum has nine teacher-ready lesson plans  for a semester course, with all instruction & primary source documents. They can be tailored to supplement a US history or ethnic studies class. The  Los Angeles Unified School District, second largest, posted  OYH on their proprietary website.OYH’s major theme:“We all … benefit from inheritances we did not choose and cannot change. Growing up involves deciding which part of the inheritance you want to claim as your own, . . .” Susan Neiman, Einstein Institute. The curriculum focuses on ten major topics in US History since1880. Fact-based, focused on the future. Topics consider sources of American greatness as well as our struggles --and progress--with inequality, xenophobia, poverty, discrimination and injustice based on color [“race”], gender, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQ+ status.   For productive citizens who “own” our history, to advance the American Promise.    Inquiry-based with active learning, such as debates, role play, & advocacy. 

This resource addresses the experiences and challenges of women in American history. It focuses on the choices and leadership of particular women - both famous and ordinary - when confronting and dealing with inequality, subordination, and marginalization and seeking change. The documents and court cases in this resource not only illuminate larger issues concerning women’s experience, but also provide specific examples and context for understanding the experiences, and opportunities for women in U.S. history.   American women have experienced subordination and inequality deeply rooted in social, economic, legal & psychological practices. Although women have achieved major advances in the last 50 years, attitudes, practices, and structures reinforcing women’s inequality persist. This anthology provides an  array of materials covering the  experiences & accomplishments of American women using over 30 links, including a number that are significant compilations, such as the women included in the National Women’s Hall Of Fame. 

The rights, roles, and status of women in American society have been reflected in legal, economic, social, moral, and psychological structures that, in general, have historically subordinated all women. These deep roots go back many centuries of Anglo-American law and continue to affect the ways that society subordinates women through attitudes, social practices, and laws. Although major changes have taken place in the last 50 years, attitudes and structures reinforcing women’s inequality persist. This module focuses on the experiences of women and the challenges they faced in American history. It focuses on the choices and leadership of particular women - both famous and ordinary - when confronting and dealing with inequality, subordination, and marginalization and seeking change. The documents and court cases in this module not only illuminate larger issues concerning women’s experience, but also provide specific examples and context for understanding the experiences, rights, status, and opportunities for women in U.S. history.    

This module takes its name from The Other America by Michael Harrington, a study of 1950s U. S. poverty. From the 1700s, many American white people of European heritage have lacked the land, education, skills, or opportunities for advancement.   White identity movements have  drawn on regionalism, clannishness, racism, xenophobia, fear, and class resentments.  With economic distress, movements have coalesced around feelings that the country is not working for them. Poor and working class whites gave impetus to Populism and insurgent “white identity” movements supporting Huey Long, George Wallace, and recently Donald Trump.Another important element is “race” -- a word and concept developed to justify the colonization and control (and  enslavement) of black Africans by white Europeans and Americans. They used fake “race” science to justify colonization, the slave trade and subordination of Blacks.A complete, objective history requires an understanding of Americans who join in such identity politics.

The US has a long history of political differences and protest arising from economic inequality, racism, ethnicity, religion, & “cultural” conflict. All too often our democratic processes have failed to adequately address our challenges. Civil unrest and violence have resulted. Expressions of extremism are becoming increasingly prominent and threatening. Please use the links provided to explore these issues.

The United States today is more divided than at any time since the 1860s. The deep divisions in our country are fundamentally about our history. Community building thus must start with our history. Own Your History® (OYH) seeks to initiate grass roots change by  helping diverse groups reach across divides to find commonality and understanding, despite continuing differences.We are inheritors of an America shaped by prior generations. “All of us benefit from inheritances we did not choose and cannot change. Growing up involves deciding which part of the inheritance you want to claim as your own, . . ." Susan Neiman, Einstein Forum We are not responsible for what forebears did, constructive or destructive. But we each  are responsible for what we do, including perpetuation of selected parts of our national past. We can become a better country by using OYH to develop acceptance of differences and all forms of diversity, which can create a foundation  for stronger communities across this country.

 Own Your History® Multimedia Anthologies -- These anthologies collect a range of materials for exploring OYH topics. They parallel and supplement the OYH school modules, available as Open Education Resources. Groups of all ages can explore & discuss these rich and varied collections for sharing reflections on aspects of U.S. history and deepening historical knowledge. They are also available through the OYH website, https://www.ownyourhistory.us/multimediaresources Until La Causa, California farmworkers lived and worked in deplorable, often inhumane, conditions, at the mercy of growers. Spanish-speaking migrant minorities, they were socially invisible to the country.  La Causa used bold nonviolent methods and community involvement to achieve change & personal dignity. Explore this history using the  links in the attachment. 

 Until La Causa, California farmworkers lived and worked in deplorable, often inhumane, conditions, at the mercy of growers. Spanish-speaking migrant minorities, they were socially invisible to the country.  La Causa used bold nonviolent methods and community involvement to achieve change & personal dignity. Explore this history using the lessons and links below.

 These anthologies  parallel and supplement the OYH school modules, available as Open Education Resources.  Groups of all ages can explore & discuss these collections. Also available through the OYH website, https://www.ownyourhistory.us/multimediaresourcesThis anthology focuses on the strategies and methods used in the 1960s by Black Americans to challenge Jim Crow segregation and to  put equal rights and opportunities on the nation’s agenda. They called into question the subordination of Blacks and other people of color based upon racist views. Young, new leaders undertook nonviolent direct-action protests supported by Black religious organizations and studentsin the face of determined opposition and violence by Southern Whites. By 1965, the federal government responded by passing historic civil rights and voting rights legislation.These landmark accomplishments did not address economic inequalities. Urban uprisings in 1967-68 were fueled by these economic inequalities and the assassination of Dr. King. President Johnson  appointed a  commission led  Otto Kerner to examine these uprisings and make recommendations.

Until about 1966, the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. King and the other national Black organizations focused on ending segregation, changing racist attitudes, advancing equality under the law, and securing the vote. Because of the system of Jim Crow laws, the Movement’s attention was largely on the South. Protests also highlighted economic inequalities and jobs and demanded government responses to effect change. In the “long hot summer” of 1967, over 20 uprisings and disorders took place in cities across the country. This prompted President Johnson to appoint a study commission led by former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner to examine these uprisings and make recommendations. Additional rioting occurred in 1968 in reaction to the assassination of Dr. King. The 1968 Kerner Commission report is a detailed, thoughtful, and clear-eyed analysis of these urban disorders with a comprehensive and bold set of recommendations for addressing systemic racism and its economic and social consequences.

The 1930s were a nadir for Black Americans. Systemic segregation, subordination & economic privation were prevalent In American society nationwide. White Southern political power blocked New Deal benefits. Use the links to explore this history and the ways Black Americans increasingly took risks to more forcefully advocate for justice & equality.Civil rights fwas not on the national agenda in the 1930s. Segregation and  subordination of Black Americans were firmly rooted throughout American society and  the country. The Great Depression and later the emerging war crisis in Europe dominated national attention. Southerners in Congress opposed changes to help Black Americans, including anti-lynching bills, and amended New Deal legislation to deny Black Americans the benefits and programs being offered to white citizens.  A core topic of this resource is risk-taking, primarily by Marian Anderson, A. Philip Randolph, and Eleanor Roosevelt in publicly seeking to achieve greater rights for Black Americans .Their goals were modest by today’s standards, but their actions were historic.