Keeping Dearborn White
A CASE STUDY OF RESPONDING TO BIGOTRYThe Background
Pastor Terry Jones, pictured here, is a frequent visitor to Dearborn — a city with a large population of Muslims and Arab-Americans — where he threatens to burn the Koran in front of Edsel Ford High School. When he comes, he stands on the public sidewalk in front of the schools, and spews hate speech against Muslims.
Dearborn was once home to Henry Ford, known for the mass-production of automobiles and also for his anti-Semitism and relationship with Adolf Hitler. Orville Hubbard, Mayor of Dearborn, was called the “Dictator of Dearborn,” whose campaign to “Keep Dearborn Clean” was understood to mean “Keep Dearborn White.”
Does Jones have a right to spew hate speech in front of the schools? Do students have a right to protest and, if so, what would advise them to do? Do teachers and administrators have a responsibility to respond and, if so, how should they respond?
The Response: Student Leadership
Intergroup Dialogue & Student leadership
In anticipation of Jones’ arrival, students formed the Intergroup Dialogue Student Leadership Team.
#theRealDearborn March
Students launched “the Real Dearborn,” an annual march which celebrates diversity & became the largest youth-led social justice parade in metropolitan Detroit.
Spreading the word through Video
Students also put their creative skills to work and produced a video embracing diversity in their community.
Resources for Teachers
- Who is Pastor Jones? Watch the video on Pastor Jones, and discuss his message. What you think about his message?
- What is Edsel Ford High School? What is Dearborn? Which social identity groups attend the school? Who are the residents?
- Does Jones have a right to spew hate speech in front of the schools?
- Do students have a right to protest and, if so, what would advise them to do?
- Do teachers and administrators have a responsibility to respond and, if so, how should they respond
- Students, community unite to march for ‘real’ Dearborn
- 2018 Real Dearborn March Video
- The Real Dearborn March Video
