WHAT IS ENLIGHTEN AMERICA?
Combat Hate and Bigotry in Metro-Atlanta
and win up to $350!
e Enlighten America Essay Contest is a volunteer community service project brought to you by the Achim/Gate City Lodge of B'nai B'rith International. Enlighten America began in 2000 as a B'nai B'rith International response to shootings sparked by racial and religious hatred in Los Angeles, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York and elsewhere. Sadly, there appears to be no end in sight to this senseless hatred and killing. A B’nai B’rith task force developed this response as a way to get involved, to improve ourselves, our communities and our world.
Enlighten America is an annual Essay Contest for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students in Metro-Atlanta. It encourages respect and tolerance of our friends’ and neighbors' diverse religious beliefs and racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. It stresses civic harmony over violence and equality over prejudice. View the 2019-20 Winning Essays
To participate, middle and high school students (grades 7-9) should reflect on the significance of this pledge respect for our diversity in race, religion, national origin, gender, disability and sexual orientation - by writing about the issues of bigotry and prejudice, how such issues have (or have not) been addressed in recent years, and how such issues affect our quest for peaceful coexistence among our friends and neighbors, and throughout the world.
Alternatively you may research and select one or more quotes attributed to an American president, a world leader, or a local community leader. Write about the meaning of the specific quote and how this relates to our society today. You may also reflect on the pledge or use a current event, an event in your life, or an event in history. Tell us why you chose the quote/s or event you selected and its relevance to the issues of bigotry or prejudice. Be sure to fully define the problem and address the challenges that might be faced in implementing solutions and improvements. Review the contest rules and then submit your essay!
Winners in each grade level will receive prizes as listed below:
First-place winners will be awarded $350
Second-place winners will be awarded $250
Third-place winners will be awarded $150
At B'nai B'rith International, we encourage responsibility and mutual respect for the differences in all people. If we accept the premise that all people are special, we're better able to accept individual differences.
Additionally, the Contest serves as a framework or “model of instruction” designed to support teachers in the implementation of the Reading and Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects Grades 6-8, Grades 9 and the English Language Arts (ELA) Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) (see pages 19 -25 for specific standards) for 7th grade, 8th grade, and 9th grade in the following writing skill areas:
● Text Types and Purposes
● Production and Distribution of Writing
● Research to Build and Present Knowledge
● Range of Writing
All entries must be received by (EXTENDED DEADLINE!) Thursday, April 15, 2022. Winners will be announced in mid-May, 2022.
Thank you to all of our 2021-22 Sponsors and Promotional Partners.
Support our lodge by making a tax-deductible contribution today!
For more information, to become a sponsor, or any questions please contact us.
You may download and print the flyer below:
Enlighten America is an annual Essay Contest for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students in Metro-Atlanta. It encourages respect and tolerance of our friends’ and neighbors' diverse religious beliefs and racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. It stresses civic harmony over violence and equality over prejudice. View the 2019-20 Winning Essays
To participate, middle and high school students (grades 7-9) should reflect on the significance of this pledge respect for our diversity in race, religion, national origin, gender, disability and sexual orientation - by writing about the issues of bigotry and prejudice, how such issues have (or have not) been addressed in recent years, and how such issues affect our quest for peaceful coexistence among our friends and neighbors, and throughout the world.
Alternatively you may research and select one or more quotes attributed to an American president, a world leader, or a local community leader. Write about the meaning of the specific quote and how this relates to our society today. You may also reflect on the pledge or use a current event, an event in your life, or an event in history. Tell us why you chose the quote/s or event you selected and its relevance to the issues of bigotry or prejudice. Be sure to fully define the problem and address the challenges that might be faced in implementing solutions and improvements. Review the contest rules and then submit your essay!
Winners in each grade level will receive prizes as listed below:
First-place winners will be awarded $350
Second-place winners will be awarded $250
Third-place winners will be awarded $150
At B'nai B'rith International, we encourage responsibility and mutual respect for the differences in all people. If we accept the premise that all people are special, we're better able to accept individual differences.
Additionally, the Contest serves as a framework or “model of instruction” designed to support teachers in the implementation of the Reading and Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects Grades 6-8, Grades 9 and the English Language Arts (ELA) Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) (see pages 19 -25 for specific standards) for 7th grade, 8th grade, and 9th grade in the following writing skill areas:
● Text Types and Purposes
● Production and Distribution of Writing
● Research to Build and Present Knowledge
● Range of Writing
All entries must be received by (EXTENDED DEADLINE!) Thursday, April 15, 2022. Winners will be announced in mid-May, 2022.
Thank you to all of our 2021-22 Sponsors and Promotional Partners.
Support our lodge by making a tax-deductible contribution today!
For more information, to become a sponsor, or any questions please contact us.
You may download and print the flyer below: