Fair For All: Newsletter

FAIR at Harvard: Bringing Intellectual Vitality to K-12 Education

Fair For All — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:31:25 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Last month, FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris joined a distinguished group of scholars, legal experts, and education leaders for “Building a Culture of Dialogue: A Conversation with Harvard’s Intellectual Vitality Initiative,” hosted by Harvard Alumni for Free Speech. Co-sponsored by FAIR and the Council on Academic Freedom, the conversation explored what it actually takes to cultivate intellectual diversity and open inquiry — on Harvard’s campus and beyond.

In addition to Monica, the panel featured Harvard faculty and institutional leaders Professor Danielle Allen, Edward J. Hall, Ari Kohn, and John Evangelakos. Together, they examined the state of free inquiry at universities, the institutional conditions that make genuine dialogue possible, and the challenge of building cultures where disagreement is not just tolerated but genuinely valued.

Watch the full conversation here:

Monica’s contribution to the conversation brought a dimension often missing from discussions about free expression in higher education: what students are bringing with them when they arrive. If universities are serious about intellectual vitality, the work has to start earlier.

FAIR’s Many Stories, One Nation curriculum is designed to give high school students the tools for exactly this kind of intellectual engagement. During the panel, Monica highlighted two key frameworks at the heart of the curriculum.

The first is logical fallacy identification. Students learn to recognize common errors in reasoning such as straw man arguments, false dichotomies, ad hominem attacks, and more. What makes this instruction distinctive is its direction: students are taught to identify these fallacies in their own thinking, not just in the arguments of others. This self-scrutiny is harder, and more important. It asks students to develop a habit of intellectual honesty that most adults have never been formally taught.

The second framework Monica discussed is one she describes as among the most powerful in the curriculum: the Competing Goods framework.

The premise is straightforward, but its implications are profound. Most genuine controversies, the curriculum teaches, don’t pit a good argument against a bad one. Instead, they pit two legitimate values against each other. Safety versus freedom. Individual rights versus community welfare. Tradition versus progress. Equality versus excellence. In each case, both sides are protecting something real, but the disagreement arises because people prioritize those goods differently, and that prioritization reflects deeply held values, not ignorance or malice.

FAIR’s curriculum encourages students to ask: What is the “other side” actually trying to protect or defend? What legitimate concern is driving their position? Can I understand why a reasonable person with different priorities might reach a different conclusion?

This reframing doesn’t require abandoning convictions or pretending that all positions are equally valid; students can still take sides. But the framework changes the nature of the disagreement. Instead of “my side is right and your side is wrong,” the question becomes: “How do we navigate a genuine tension between things we both care about?” This shift from winning to understanding is what makes productive dialogue possible.

As Monica noted during the panel, this disconnect is at the root of much of the divisive public discourse we see today. When people can’t recognize that the “other side” is protecting something legitimate, they default to assuming bad faith. The conversation degrades into combat. The Competing Goods framework gives students a way out of that trap. Instead of avoiding hard questions, they’re taught to approach them with greater intellectual sophistication.

Open inquiry doesn’t begin or end on a college campus. It’s a cultural challenge, and culture is built over time, through practice, and by equipping young people with the skills and dispositions that genuine dialogue requires.

For educators and administrators interested in bringing FAIR’s Many Stories, One Nation curriculum to their students, or for anyone who wants to learn more about our work to strengthen civil discourse in K-12 education, you can explore it here or contact monica@fairforall.org.

The conversation at Harvard was a reminder of what’s possible when we take seriously the work of building a better public square. We’re proud to be part of it.

With gratitude,
The FAIR Team

The Lost Art of Listening: Building Empathy Across Differences

Join FAIR Advisors and for this upcoming webinar, moderated by FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris. We will discuss the need to develop emotional intelligence and perspective-enhancing skills and how deep listening strengthens democratic participation and community bonds. This theme also supports FAIR's commitment to respectful civil discourse, which is a foundational element of our Many Stories, One Nation curriculum.

Read on the topic of empathy for our Substack this week:

The Body-Mind Connection: Rethinking How Medicine Approaches Adolescent Development

Mood swings, difficulty focusing, disrupted sleep, irregular periods are all hallmarks of adolescence and not necessarily signs of disorder. Yet antidepressant prescriptions for teens have risen 66% in six years, ADHD diagnoses now affect more than 6 million children, and hormonal contraception is routinely prescribed to teenage girls for symptoms that may reflect normal development. Join FAIR and for a candid conversation about what parents are often not told before a prescription is written and what questions they have every right to ask. Drawing on real cases and peer-reviewed research, this webinar will explore the physiological context behind adolescent symptoms and ask what informed consent should really mean before a family agrees to a prescription that could change a developing brain.

FAIR Educators Alliance 2025-2026

Join the FAIR Educators Alliance for the 2025–2026 school year to equip PK–12 educators with the knowledge, strategies, and community support they need to foster schools that are more enriching and free from bias for students and educators.

Following the presentations, participants will have space for open-forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Note to readers: We have paused the FAIR News podcast. If you prefer listening, rather than reading these newsletters, an audio version is available directly on the Substack app. Thank you for tuning in!

Join the FAIR Community

FAIR Celebrates Volunteer Month Where It Matters: In Your Community

Fair For All — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:31:33 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Since FAIR’s founding, we’ve advocated for pro-human values, civil liberties, and viewpoint diversity in courtrooms, in classrooms, and in workplaces. But these values don’t take root through advocacy alone. They take root when people gather in town halls, school board meetings, and local libraries to have honest conversations about the kind of institutions they want.

April is National Volunteer Month, a reminder that the values we advocate live in the communities you’re building every day. FAIR has a strong and growing Chapter network, and Volunteer Month inspires us to invest in making it even more robust by supporting the leaders who carry our mission into their communities. Every dollar donated to FAIR Chapters this month goes directly toward equipping them to do the work that can only be done at the local level:

Bring expert voices to communities. Fund travel and honorariums to bring speakers and thought leaders directly to local audiences.

Organize civil discourse events. Host town halls, coffee chats and other gatherings where community members can learn to respectfully disagree and find common ground.

Print and distribute curriculum materials. Give parents, educators, and school administrators a firsthand look at what a balanced, rigorous alternative to Liberated Ethnic Studies can look like.

None of this happens without your support. A direct gift this month can transform your local Chapter’s vision into reality.

If you want to see an example of FAIR Chapters in action, look no further than the Twin Cities. This month, supporters in Minnesota are hosting a series of community preview events for FAIR’s curriculum, Many Stories, One Nation, in partnership with the Minnesota Partnership for Achievement:

White Bear Lake — Monday, April 21, 6:30–8:00 PM
Anoka Hennepin — Monday, April 28, 7:00–8:30 PM
Elk River — Wednesday, April 30, 5:30–7:30 PM

If you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and are interested in attending any of these sessions, you can register here.

What’s happening in Minnesota is a model, and it’s one we can replicate nationwide. When chapters are resourced and energized, they become the infrastructure that keeps schools and other institutions balanced and creates communities where honest disagreement and shared humanity can coexist.

That’s what we’re building toward in 2026, and your support is what makes it possible.

If you’re ready to give, donate here. If you’re ready to organize, reach out to your local chapter leader or contact us directly. Whatever your capacity, there’s a place for you in this work.

This April, we hope you’ll move beyond conversation and into your community. The future we’re working toward isn’t built in a single courtroom or a single classroom. It’s built by people like you, showing up where it matters most.

With gratitude,
The FAIR Team

Donate Here

Join Us

The Lost Art of Listening: Building Empathy Across Differences

The Body-Mind Connection: Rethinking How Medicine Approaches Adolescent Development

Read Dr. Kendra Kautz on our Substack this week:

FAIR Educators Alliance 2025-2026

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Join the FAIR Community

FAIR in Conversation is Back and We Have Plenty to Talk About

Fair For All — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:03:00 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Books are powerful. They invite us to slow down and sit with difficult ideas. They provide a common language for important discussions. Last year FAIR in Conversation gave our community a dedicated forum to explore sensitive issues, engage across differences, and practice respectful civil discourse. And we’re proud of the community we built.

Today, the need for engaged conversation is greater than ever.

From our courts and classrooms to our cultural institutions, the rate of that change has outrun the publication schedule. Legislative battles, viral controversies, and landmark research are reshaping the landscape of civil rights, free expression, and fairness, and our members are hungry to discuss these developments in real time.

That’s why, on April 29th, FAIR in Conversation is relaunching with a new monthly format built for this moment.

We’re leaning away from books and into the issues themselves: the debates, decisions, and developments that are defining what fairness, free speech, and equal dignity mean in America, and beyond, right now. Each session will center on a pressing topic of the day, drawing on a curated mix of articles, book summaries, short essays, podcasts, films, and other multimedia resources to ground the conversation before opening the floor for discussion.

The goal isn’t to reach consensus. The goal is to model the kind of open, honest, good-faith dialogue that is increasingly rare, and to do so across the full range of perspectives that make FAIR’s community so valuable.

What might we discuss? The Supreme Court’s recent wave of First Amendment decisions and their impact on everyday Americans – teachers, students, and doctors. Ethnic studies mandates and the debate over how race and ethnicity are taught in schools. The constitutional rights of parents to direct the upbringing, care, and control of their children. The science of gender medicine and the institutions caught in the middle. Artificial intelligence and what it means for equality, creativity, and human dignity.

There is no shortage of topics that affect all of us, no shortage of FAIR members who want to engage them seriously.

Sessions will be virtual, open to all FAIR members, and designed to be as accessible as they are substantive. You don’t need to have read anything in advance. Just bring your curiosity, your willingness to listen, and your commitment to engage in good faith.

These are exactly the conversations America needs now, and we are committed to modeling them. Sessions will run monthly from April 29th to September 23rd. We hope you’ll join us! Sign up here to join FAIR in Conversation this season.

With gratitude,
The FAIR Team

FAIR in Conversation (FiC) meets virtually from April to September. Registration is free for all FAIR members. Not a member yet? Sign up for FiC and become one here:

Culture in Psychotherapy — Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics

Join FAIR in partnership with Dr. Douglas Novotny for this Continuing Education course. Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics has corroded the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal of this course is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact both daily life and clinical settings.

Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on FAIR Advisor ‘s Moral Foundations Theory, a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, and critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps to explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones) and offers ways to bridge them through deep cultural understanding and relational attunement.

This course is available now: March 18th - April 18th (self-paced Home Study) and TODAY (Wednesday, April 8th). Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting Continuing Ed. Certificate)

Heterodox Libraries Spring 2026 Symposium: HUMAN AUTHORSHIP

Join FAIR Board Member Heather Blakeslee in conversation with Bret Weinstein at the Heterodox Libraries (HxLibraries) Spring Symposium: HUMAN AUTHORSHIP. This Friday, April 10th, 2026 from 11am - 3pm U.S. CT (convert time zone) via Zoom. Join us for this FREE virtual event to celebrate creativity and the human experience.

Read the full event description and register here.

HxLibraries Spring Symposium

The Lost Art of Listening: Building Empathy Across Differences

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

FAIR has launched the Educators Alliance for the 2025–2026 school year to equip PK–12 educators with the knowledge, strategies, and community support they need to foster schools that are more enriching and free from bias for students and educators.

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies to support educators, communities, and local chapters—and to advance positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following the presentations, participants will have space for open-forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Note to readers: We have paused the FAIR News podcast. If you prefer listening, rather than reading these newsletters, an audio version is available directly on the Substack app. Thank you for tuning in!

Join the FAIR Community

What We Learned in California: Even Ethnic Studies Teachers Want Something Different

Fair For All — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:02:23 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Last month, FAIR attended the California Council for the Social Studies (CCSS) conference in Garden Grove, and what we encountered there reinforced our belief that we have created a solution educators genuinely need.

Dr. Adam Seagrave’s presentation, How to Teach the Declaration of Independence and Ethnic Studies Together, drew a standing-room-only crowd. Educators were invited to explore the Declaration’s meaning across diverse American historical experiences and its global resonances, while engaging directly with primary sources, lesson plans, and other materials from Many Stories, One Nation. The interest was visible in real time. While Dr. Seagrave was still speaking, I watched several attendees visit FAIR’s website to examine the curriculum for themselves.

The energy carried over to our exhibitor booth the next day. Teachers stopped by specifically to say they had attended the session, found it compelling and thought-provoking, and wanted to learn more. Many signed up to receive information about bringing Many Stories, One Nation to their schools.

But what struck us more than the number of teachers who stopped by was what they told us. Teachers expressed the kind of urgency that comes when people feel a need acutely and are relieved to discover that a solution exists.

Again and again, educators told us they were drawn to Many Stories, One Nation for reasons that go to the heart of how FAIR’s curriculum was designed. Rather than treating the experiences of ethnic groups in isolation, our approach is chronological and integrated. Students encounter different communities in historical context as participants in a shared American experience, grappling together with the forces that have shaped the nation across time. Teachers told us this felt both more honest and more teachable than curricula that silo groups into separate, disconnected units. One educator described it as the difference between a mosaic and a collage: the pieces in Many Stories, One Nation actually connect.

The civil discourse component generated its own wave of enthusiasm. Teachers described classrooms that have become genuinely difficult to navigate, where students arrive with strong, often opposing convictions about history, identity, and belonging, and where a single discussion can fracture rather than build community. Several told us they had been looking for structured tools to help students engage across those differences with both rigor and respect. The civil discourse exercises woven throughout Many Stories, One Nation gave them exactly what they had been searching for: a pedagogically grounded way to model disagreement without division.

Perhaps the most surprising conversations were with teachers whose schools have already adopted Ethnic Studies curricula. Several educators approached us specifically because they were looking for a balanced alternative that met California’s Ethnic Studies standards while offering a more unifying frame. They were frank about the limitations they have encountered with existing materials and genuinely curious about whether Many Stories, One Nation could serve as a complement or a replacement. That these conversations happened at all is a measure of how much space exists in the market for what Fair For All has built.

The FAIR team left CCSS with something we did not entirely expect: momentum in a state that has led the national push for Ethnic Studies mandates. We are actively following up with the educators we met and are more confident than ever that we will reach our goal of introducing Many Stories, One Nation in five schools this fall. Our conversations in Garden Grove, and the enthusiasm we encountered at the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies conference in February, tell the same story: educators are ready, and the demand is real. To meet it, we need your help.

If you are a California or Minnesota educator interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you: info@manystoriesonenation.com. If you are a supporter who wants to put this curriculum in front of more teachers, here is what we are working to fund right now:

On-the-ground professional development. A curriculum is only as strong as the teachers who deliver it. We are committed to providing in-person training and ongoing support to every school that adopts our curriculum, and we need resources to make that possible.

Expanding the curriculum from one semester to a full year. A full-year course would deepen student engagement and broaden adoption possibilities in schools planning their fall schedules.

Aligning the curriculum with Minnesota’s Ethnic Studies standards. The enthusiasm we encountered in Minnesota was real, and we intend to honor it. Alignment will require an additional review by the Johns Hopkins School of Education, and we are ready to move forward the moment funding is in place.

Fall is closer than it seems. Schools are making curriculum decisions now, and every week matters. If you believe, as we do, that American students deserve an ethnic studies education that unifies rather than divides, please consider making a gift today.

Every gift helps us grow this curriculum, reach new states, and train more educators to teach an American story that includes all of us.

With gratitude,

Monica Harris
Executive Director, FAIR

Make a Gift to FAIR

Culture in Psychotherapy — Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics

Join FAIR in partnership with Dr. Douglas Novotny for this upcoming course: Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics has corroded the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal of this course is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact both daily life and clinical settings.

Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on FAIR Advisor ‘s Moral Foundations Theory, a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, and critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps to explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones) and offers ways to bridge them through deep cultural understanding and relational attunement.

This course is available now March 18th - April 18th (self-paced Home Study) and April 8th. Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting Continuing Ed. Certificate)

P.S. Read Dr. this week on our Substack:

The Lost Art of Listening: Building Empathy Across Differences

The Open Therapy Institute (OTI) is at the forefront of a burgeoning area of mental health care, developing innovative, evidence-based tools to help people, support professionals, and address social issues. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a patient, the leader of an organization, or just a citizen looking for openness and dialogue, OTI is developing solutions to help make things better.

Membership is for professionals in mental health fields including psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, pastoral counselors, and researchers. Membership is open to applicants internationally.

Apply

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Join the FAIR Community

Speak Up or Stay Silent: Every Student's Right to Protest

Fair For All — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:31:28 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

The act of peaceful student protest is one of the most deeply embedded traditions in American culture. From the Civil Rights movement with its sit-ins, walkouts, and freedom rides to the Vietnam War protests that reshaped the national conversation on free speech and academic expression, student activism has consistently served to highlight the most important issues of each generation. This year, student walkouts protesting ICE enforcement actions made national headlines and with them came an important reminder about the legal boundaries that govern student protest.

The First Amendment protects public school students’ right to engage in peaceful protest so long as it does not materially and substantially interfere with the operation of the school. In many of the ICE-related walkouts, that line was crossed. Students left campuses without permission, parents were not notified, and in some cases adults organized minors into political action without parental knowledge or consent. Students faced suspension, and in some jurisdictions, adult organizers and participants faced legal liability. The right to protest is real and constitutionally protected. So are the limits.

Friday, April 10, marks the 30th annual Day of Silence, as promoted by Glisten, an organization whose focus is to “advise on, advocate for, and research comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ students as well as students of marginalized identities.” Students who choose to participate remain silent during portions of the school day to show their support of and solidarity with members of the LGBTQ community. Some students may also choose to dress in all-black clothing or wear pins explaining their protest.

The same constitutional principle applies here. The First Amendment protects public school students’ right to participate in the Day of Silence so long as it does not materially and substantially interfere with the operation of the school. And when students choose not to participate, the First Amendment protects them as well.

We at FAIR seek to deliver on our mission by supporting diversity without division. The Day of Silence can be an occasion for students to honor their many differences. On the other hand, we have also seen instances where the Day of Silence leads to unfortunate and unnecessary division among students. In these cases, students feel so ostracized that they withdraw from class participation or avoid attending school altogether.

Whether the issue is immigration enforcement, LGBTQ solidarity, or any other cause students feel moved to speak out about, the constitutional framework is the same, and every parent, student, and school administrator deserves to understand it clearly. That is why we have drafted a template available for all to use. This template discusses the important constitutional protections and limitations at play in student protests of all kinds, including the Day of Silence. If you feel that a thoughtful dialogue with your child’s school on this topic would be valuable, this letter is for you.

You can download the letter here in Word format and amend the highlighted portions to fit your needs. We encourage you to share this helpful resource with your friends and family as well. As always, if your child experiences a violation of their civil or constitutional rights at school, please submit an incident report on FAIR Transparency.

Every day, FAIR works to ensure that our schools and communities remain places where open dialogue, mutual respect, and true equality under the law can thrive. But we can’t do this alone. Your donation today helps us continue to create resources like the student rights letter, respond to incidents of discrimination, and provide guidance to families and educators navigating these complex issues.

Donate here and stand with us in protecting the rights of every student and family.

Together, we can keep fairness at the heart of America’s classrooms and communities.

Warmly,
The FAIR Team

Donate to Support FAIR

Culture in Psychotherapy — Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics

Join FAIR with Dr. Douglas Novotny for this upcoming course: Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics has corroded the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal of this course is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact both daily life and clinical settings.

Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on FAIR Advisor ‘s Moral Foundations Theory, a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, and critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps to explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones) and offers ways to bridge them through deep cultural understanding and relational attunement.

This course is available now March 18th - April 18th (Home Study) and April 8th. Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting Continuing Ed. Certificate)

Apply

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Join the FAIR Community

Announcing FAIR's 2026 Artist Grant Winners

Fair For All — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:15:54 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our 2026 Artist Grant!

The FAIR Artist Grant was established as a fund for independent artists seeking support for professional activities that align with FAIR’s mission of advancing fairness, understanding, and humanity in the arts. Our purpose is to further a culture where all artists – regardless of their perceived identity group or belief system – can be judged on the quality of their work and practice their craft freely without fear. With an arts funding ecosystem that is still overwhelmingly driven by divisive DEI policies and groupthink, the FAIR Artist Grant is our effort to shift the tide back and reclaim core values of excellence, integrity, and free thought.

The winners of our 2026 Artist Grant span a wide range of artistic practices, professional backgrounds, and life experiences. They are filmmakers, theater artists, visual artists, writers, and educators. They are ambassadors, thought leaders, and innovators who represent our mission to change culture by creating new, better culture. We are honored to support their work.

Grand Prize Winners –

Alison Fairweather Murray: Filmmaker, Director.
Project funded: Pitch deck for dramatic television series

Celeste Teal Larkin: Executive Director at St. George Opera
Project funded: Hansel and Gretel at St. George Opera

Mary Poindexter McLaughlin: Playwright, Poet, Essayist
Project funded: Dear US: One Acts to Bridge the Divide

Timothy Naylor: Filmmaker, Professor of Film at LIU
Project funded: Anonymous Film Festival in NYC

Nevline Nnaji: Filmmaker, Dancer
Project funded: She Holds The Line: Black Women Speak on Gender Ideology

Johari Mayfield: Teaching Artist, Choreographer
Project funded: Wildcard: A Satirical Séance

Kimberley Tait: Author, Founder at Dogstar Press
Project funded: Dogstar Press LLC

Runners Up –

Steve Salerno: Journalist, Essayist, Professor
Project funded: Article exposing journalism school biases

Mary McDonald-Lewis: Voice Actor, Director, Writer
Project funded: The Macbeths

Kevin Ray: Theater Artist, Producer, Artistic Director
Project funded: Theatrical adaptation of Hope Mirrlees’ fantasy novel Lud-in-the-Mist

Bob Rahmanian: Visual Artist, Musician
Project funded: Unacceptable, a group exhibition

Learn more about our Artist Grant winners, and read their full bios here.

We are grateful to our donors and supporters who made the FAIR Artist Grant possible, especially the Snider Family Foundation. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support FAIR in the Arts. With your help, we look forward to continuing to build a new arts & culture infrastructure.

Warmly,
Brent Morden
FAIR in the Arts

Donate to Support FAIR in the Arts

In different, though related news… This week, FAIR in the Arts member Kevin Lynch scored a major legal victory against Playwrights Horizons, a New York theatre company.

A prominent nonprofit theater in New York has settled a lawsuit claiming that a discount offered to people of color was racially discriminatory. Playwrights Horizons, an Off Broadway company…offered an apology to Kevin Lynch, a white musician from New Jersey who sued over last fall’s “BIPOC night”…[Playwrights Horizons wrote that it] “regrets that Mr. Lynch felt excluded because of his race,” …[and we] have agreed to resolve the matter out of court.” …Lynch, in a statement…said he was pleased with the outcome. "Race-based ticket pricing violates all our civil rights, regardless of which race is on the receiving end of the discrimination…I consider it a victory for civil and human rights.”

With FAIR’s support, Kevin Lynch has been on the front lines challenging discrimination in the arts. We’re thrilled to see the fruits of his success — and equally excited to see this development covered in the New York Times.

Read the Full Article

Beyond Binary Thinking: Developing Nuanced Perspectives in Young Minds

Join FAIR Advisors Wilfred Reilly and Erec Smith for a conversation moderated by FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris. We will discuss the need to move beyond oversimplified oppressor/oppressed narratives to help develop critical thinking skills that honor complexity while maintaining moral clarity. This theme also supports FAIR's commitment to civil discourse, which is a foundational element of our Many Stories, One Nation curriculum.

Culture in Psychotherapy — Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics

Join FAIR with Dr. Douglas Novotny for this upcoming course: Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics has corroded the teaching and practice of psychotherapy. Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal of this course is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact both daily life and clinical settings.

Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on ‘s Moral Foundations Theory, a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, and critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps to explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones) and offers ways to bridge them through deep cultural understanding and relational attunement.

This course is available now March 18th - April 18th (Home Study), March 28th, and April 8th. Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting Continuing Ed. Certificate)

Apply

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

Join the FAIR Community

FAIR Announces Partnership with 'Alliance for Constructive Ethnic Studies' to Promote Curriculum Adoption

Fair For All — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 11:31:11 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

We’re thrilled to share exciting news: FAIR is partnering with the Alliance for Constructive Ethnic Studies (ACES) to accelerate adoption of FAIR’s groundbreaking new curriculum.

ACES has been at the forefront of advocating for thoughtful, balanced ethnic studies curricula that build mutual respect, fight racism, and celebrate ethnic groups’ accomplishments without imposing narrow ideological agendas. Their mission aligns perfectly with FAIR’s approach: we believe students deserve to engage with America’s complex history through primary sources, competing perspectives, and civil discourse instead of predetermined conclusions.

ACES’s diverse, nonpartisan coalition model also complements FAIR’s commitment to serving educators and families across the political spectrum. Together, we’re demonstrating that it’s possible to teach ethnic studies that inspires mutual respect, celebrates achievement, and equips students with the analytical tools they need without the divisiveness that has made this field so contentious.

This partnership marks a pivotal moment in FAIR’s evolution from problem identification to solution delivery. ACES brings deep expertise in California’s Ethnic Studies landscape and shares our commitment to teaching America’s story with intellectual honesty, multiple perspectives, and rigorous academic standards.

This partnership enables two grassroots organizations, with different histories and constituencies, to unite around shared principles. We will work together to provide programs which inspire students not only to better understand our nation’s complex history and ongoing struggles, but also to take an active and informed role in shaping our aspirational future.

We’re grateful to ACES for their partnership and to all of you who continue supporting our mission. Together, we’re positioned to reach new school districts that have been searching for exactly what FAIR offers: a path that honors diversity and confronts difficult truths while building bridges rather than deepening divisions. We’ve also given our curriculum a name that better reflects its spirit: Many Stories, One Nation (formerly The American Experience). We believe this partnership and our new name will help us reach the thousands of educators and students across the country who are looking for an ethnic studies curriculum that is honest, academically rigorous, and unifying.

This week, our team will attend the California Council for the Social Studies conference in Garden Grove, California, where we will showcase Many Stories, One Nation to educators from across the state. Stay tuned for updates from the conference and beyond. FAIR’s work of creating thoughtful, rigorous, bridge-building alternatives continues with powerful new partners!

With gratitude,

Monica Harris
Executive Director, FAIR

P.S. As we celebrate five years of success this March, we’re asking supporters to consider special anniversary gifts that will help us capitalize on the momentum we’ve built. Stay tuned for more opportunities to invest in FAIR’s next chapter!

Make an Anniversary Donation

Beyond Binary Thinking: Developing Nuanced Perspectives in Young Minds

Culture in Psychotherapy — Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics

Join FAIR with Dr. Douglas Novotny for this upcoming course: Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics corrodes the teaching and practice of psychotherapy, especially in the widely-misunderstood realm of “culture” and “diversity.” Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact daily life and clinical settings. It aims to facilitate engagement with patients and colleagues, and within ourselves, even as we grapple with vital and controversial issues.

Research indicates that ideological diversity — seeing topics from different points of view — improves psychology. This course builds on that with ‘s Moral Foundations Theory, a cultural lens to grasp differences across cultures, within cultures, and the daily experiences of clients and students encountered by therapists. Specific clinical applications will be explored, and critiques and competing moral models will be considered. This structural model helps explain interpersonal divisions (and intra-psychic ones) and offers ways to bridge them through deep cultural understanding and relational attunement.

This course is available March 18th - April 18th (Home Study), March 28th, and April 8th. Course fee: $69 (+ $20 if requesting Continuing Education Certificate)

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FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

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Celebrating Five Years of FAIR

Fair For All — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:03:28 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Five years ago, FAIR began with a simple but urgent belief: that a free society depends on open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and equal dignity for all people. This March, we’re celebrating how far we’ve come and inviting you to help us build what comes next.

In just five years, your support has created extraordinary impact in communities around the country:

FAIR has developed an academically rigorous and non-politicized alternative to liberated Ethnic Studies. Our curriculum, which has been assessed by the Johns Hopkins School of Education, is ready for adoption in California and Oregon – and Minnesota is next! Across the country, educators are reaching out to us to find out how they can bring this groundbreaking course into their classrooms.

We’re championing artists who are building the authentic culture we want to see:

Our 2025 Artist Grants supported 14 creators across theatre, film, visual arts, and comedy. We’ve created Playwrights Think Tanks, Artist Meetups, and Writers Groups, cultivating a community where excellence matters more than ideology.

Our legal advocacy is winning major victories:

In 2022, FAIR sent the California Department of Education detailed legal guidance explaining why their policy of concealing students’ gender transitions from parents violated constitutional law. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 vindicating our arguments, protecting parental rights in California.

In August 2025, a federal court rejected West Virginia State Bar’s attempt to dismiss FAIR’s challenge to their racially discriminatory election practices, which means our case will proceed to trial on the merits.

We’ve renewed our legal challenge to Washington’s discriminatory housing policy with Pacific Legal Foundation, demanding equal access to housing assistance regardless of race.

We’ve filed OCR complaints that opened federal investigations within days. And we’re preparing litigation on behalf of female inmates at Washington Corrections Center for Women who are forced to share cells with men.

We’re equipping parents and communities with practical tools:

Our 2026 Black Lives Matter Toolkit empowers parents to navigate activist messaging in schools, while our FAIR in Libraries Neutrality & Viewpoint Diversity Toolkit helps communities counter ideological gatekeeping and restore intellectual freedom in libraries.

We’re advancing better, patient-informed healthcare:

Through our partnership with the Open Therapy Institute, FAIR in Medicine is promoting evidence-based mental health care and medical treatment that’s free from ideological capture, ensuring patients receive care grounded in science, not politics.

The challenges and opportunities aren’t shrinking; they’re growing.

Educators need our curriculum. Artists need platforms and protection. Students need defenders. Parents need advocates. Libraries need champions of neutrality. Patients need evidence-based care.

Throughout March, we’ll be sharing stories of FAIR’s impact across all our programs and asking for your partnership in building the next five years.

Watch your inbox for more detailed updates on:

How our curriculum is reaching classrooms nationwide
The artists we’re supporting and community we’re building
Legal victories protecting constitutional principles
How you can maximize your impact through strategic giving

Five years ago, FAIR was just an idea. Today, it’s a movement spanning classrooms, libraries, arts communities, and the Supreme Court. Our most important work is still ahead. With your support, we’re positioned to make the next five years even more impactful than the first.

Thank you for believing in what we’re building together.

With gratitude and determination,

Monica Harris
Executive Director, FAIR

P.S. As we celebrate five years of success, we’re asking supporters to consider special anniversary gifts that will help us capitalize on the momentum we’ve built. Stay tuned for opportunities to invest in FAIR’s next chapter!

Make an Anniversary Donation

Beyond Binary Thinking: Developing Nuanced Perspectives in Young Minds

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FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

FAIR is launching the Educators Alliance for the 2025–2026 school year to equip PK–12 educators with the knowledge, strategies, and community support they need to foster schools that are more enriching and free from bias for students and educators.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

FAIR Goes to Minnesota—and Comes Back Inspired

Fair For All — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:11:07 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

Last week, FAIR’s team attended the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) conference at Macalester College in St. Paul, and I am truly excited by what we experienced.

I’ll admit that I had real concerns heading into this trip. With immigration enforcement dominating the headlines, I was uncertain how a curriculum rooted in shared American values and constitutional principles would land with educators navigating a turbulent moment. What I found instead was something I didn’t expect: hope.

Prior to the conference, I had the honor of presenting an overview of FAIR’s curriculum at an event hosted by the Minnesota Partnership for Achievement. The attendees were educators, administrators, parents, and community supporters from across the state.

We moved through the course framework together, and I invited participants to try a sample exercise from a lesson on Identity and Belonging, a small-group discussion exploring whether their own American experience is best represented by the Melting Pot, the Mosaic, or the Salad Bowl metaphor. And that’s when the room came alive. People leaned in. The conversations were personal, candid, and remarkably thoughtful. When I called time, participants were reluctant to stop, and that reluctance is exactly the point. Because FAIR’s curriculum doesn’t tell students what to think, it creates conditions that make them want to think.

That evening also highlighted one of my biggest takeaways from the trip: Minnesota is so much more than Minneapolis and St. Paul. Whether they’re from suburbs, small towns, or rural communities, Minnesotans are grappling with the issues FAIR’s curriculum was designed to address: classrooms fractured by polarization, students who lack the tools for civil discourse, and a growing sense that American civic identity is fraying at the seams.

But the real surprise came on Saturday.

At our exhibitor table at the MCSS conference, we were approached by far more educators than we anticipated. They didn’t just pause to glance at our materials; they asked substantive questions, expressed genuine interest in exploring adoption at their schools, and, most importantly, left their contact information. I also attended a session I didn’t expect to find at this conference: a workshop devoted to teaching students about the importance of the Constitution in American society. It was a powerful reminder that there are still educators, even in the most politically charged landscapes, who still believe in the founding promise of democratic self-governance and are actively working to pass it on.

I want to be clear: the Twin Cities remain a challenging landscape for FAIR’s curriculum. But I’m optimistic because we found promising pockets and real opportunities last week.

The interest we discovered in Minnesota deserves a response that matches the moment, and that’s why we need your help. In order to bring FAIR’s curriculum to Minnesota classrooms, we will need to align it with the state’s Ethnic Studies standards, the same rigorous process that we engaged Johns Hopkins School for Education Policy to complete for California and Oregon. This isn’t a heavy lift, but it will require resources.

We’re asking for your support to help us raise $60,000 by June 1 to commission that review and engage our curriculum team to implement the necessary revisions.

This is targeted work with a clear deadline and a direct payoff: a curriculum that Minnesota educators can adopt with confidence, knowing it meets their state’s standards and serves all students.

If you believe that every young American deserves a rigorous, balanced civic education that strengthens democratic participation without demanding ideological conformity, please consider making a gift today.

Minnesotans are ready for change. Donate now to help them make it happen!

With gratitude,

Monica Harris
Executive Director
FAIR

Donate

Beyond Binary Thinking: Developing Nuanced Perspectives in Young Minds

We will discuss the need to move beyond oversimplified oppressor/oppressed narratives to help develop critical thinking skills that honor complexity while maintaining moral clarity. This theme also supports FAIR's commitment to civil discourse, which is a foundational element of our American Experience curriculum.

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FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Defending Library Neutrality and Viewpoint Diversity

Fair For All — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:19:25 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

On the anniversary of a troubling moment for library freedom, we are reminded of Cathy Simpson, CEO and chief librarian of the Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake Public Library in Ontario. In February 2024, Cathy wrote an opinion piece for Freedom to Read Week, advocating for broader viewpoint diversity and intellectual freedom. Instead of sparking dialogue, her column sparked controversy. She was suspended on March 8, 2024, and then fired by the library board on March 19, 2024.

FAIR highlighted Cathy’s story immediately. Her experience exposed a stark reality that libraries, once trusted civic spaces for learning and debate, are increasingly under pressure to favor ideology over balance. Cathy’s dismissal served as a warning. Sadly, many libraries still fail to uphold neutrality, limiting their communities' access to diverse ideas.

Libraries are the heart of our communities. When they fail to remain neutral, they fail everyone. Promoting neutrality and viewpoint diversity ensures that:

Libraries provide multiple perspectives, even controversial or unpopular ones
Intellectual freedom is protected, not constrained by ideology
Citizens of all ages can explore, debate, and form their own informed opinions

We are excited to announce that our dedicated group of principled librarians have created the FAIR in Libraries Neutrality & Viewpoint Diversity Toolkit. This resource equips parents, educators, librarians, and concerned citizens with practical tools to defend intellectual freedom, viewpoint diversity, and civil discourse in libraries. We hope it will help you support a balanced collection in your library.

Cathy’s story reminds us that neutrality is not automatic; it must be actively defended. The FAIR toolkit provides clear guidance on evaluating library policies, requesting books or speakers, and engaging with boards or local officials. In the weeks and months ahead, two timely opportunities invite you to put these tools to work:

Canadian Freedom to Read Week: Feb 22–28, 2026. This week, we encourage you to reflect on and defend intellectual freedom.
National Library Week: Apr 19–25, 2026. While you celebrate libraries, we invite you to advocate for neutrality and viewpoint diversity as well.

In response to Cathy’s dismissal, FAIR launched the Library Neutrality Fund, which supports advocacy, educational resources, and tools like the FAIR in Libraries Toolkit. Every donation helps ensure librarians can promote neutrality without fear of retaliation and that libraries remain spaces for all voices.

Please give today to FAIR’s Library Neutrality Fund.

Your support defends intellectual freedom and keeps libraries open to every perspective.

FAIR in Libraries is growing, and we need dedicated and committed librarians. By joining, you can:

Connect with peers committed to neutrality and viewpoint diversity
Access toolkits, resources, and advocacy guides
Amplify your voice in defending intellectual freedom

Donate now to stand with those who fight for free inquiry. Together, we can turn Cathy’s courage into a movement that ensures libraries remain safe havens for learning, dialogue, and truth.

With Gratitude,

The FAIR Team

Donate

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FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Better Questions, Better Care: Advancing Integrity in Mental Healthcare

Fair For All — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:57:16 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

FAIR challenges ideological mandates and discriminatory practices that undermine civil rights, free inquiry, and evidence-based practice across our institutions. Increasingly, those same pressures of conformity, self-censorship, and reduced viewpoint diversity are also affecting mental healthcare.

Therapists are granted extraordinary access to people’s private thoughts, moral conflicts, family relationships, religious commitments, political beliefs, and fears about belonging. When ideological assumptions quietly become part of clinical “best practices,” patients can be steered, silenced, misdirected, or misunderstood, often without realizing it. The real consequences of ideologically driven therapy are evident and lasting in people’s lives.

Last week, we announced FAIR’s first long-form continuing education course, offering a way forward: Culture in Psychotherapy Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics - A Bipartisan, Pro-Human Model.

This week, we highlight the work of the Open Therapy Institute (OTI), an important complement to FAIR. OTI addresses concerns frequently raised by clinicians, educators, and patients: how politicized ideas and institutional blind spots can influence mental health care, affecting trust, clinical judgment, and outcomes.

Open Therapy Institute is asking questions that are surprisingly difficult to ask in mental health training programs:

What happens when ideological consensus replaces clinical curiosity?
How does political or moral certainty affect therapeutic neutrality and trust?
Who is left underserved or harmed when clinicians are trained to see some identities, beliefs, or professions primarily through a political lens?

By documenting blind spots, whether in men’s mental health, religious patients, law enforcement, or the effects of self-censorship, the Open Therapy Institute advances the same goals FAIR champions: open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and institutional integrity. Like FAIR, OTI does not argue for a political outcome; they seek better questions, better evidence, and better care.

We encourage our readers, especially clinicians, educators, and those who work in mental health or adjacent fields, to explore OTI’s resources.

In addition, for a limited time, OTI is offering exclusive discounts to FAIR members.

FAIR Member Discount

Through March 31, 2026, FAIR members receive:

$20 off your first year of OTI membership
$15 off OTI on-demand workshops

👉 Use code FAIR-OTI at checkout

If you’re a mental health professional or work closely with one, you will find OTI’s resources and FAIR’s new training invaluable.

Support Our Mission and Our Collaborators Through Donations
Your generous support enables us to continue developing resources and advocating for unbiased practices in therapy and beyond.

Please consider supporting FAIR today: Donate to Fair For All.

Likewise, to help OTI advance evidence-based therapy donate here.

With Gratitude,

The Fair for All Team

Donate

Amid today’s culture wars, Identity Politics corrodes the teaching and practice of psychotherapy, especially in the widely-misunderstood realm of “culture” and “diversity.” Many people on both sides feel distrustful, alienated, and/or demoralized. This course gives a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth — without moralism. The goal is to clarify concepts and conflicts that impact daily life and clinical settings. It aims to facilitate engagement with patients and colleagues — and within ourselves — even as we grapple with vital and controversial issues.

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Beyond Identity Politics: Culture in Psychotherapy

Fair For All — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:26:30 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

The culture wars have infiltrated every corner of American life, including the clinical practice of mental health professionals. Increasingly, clinicians find themselves navigating treacherous terrain where concepts like “culture” and “diversity” have become ideologically charged, leaving many clinicians feeling distrustful, alienated, or demoralized regardless of their political perspective.

On February 15th, FAIR is proud to present a three-hour continuing education webinar that offers a way forward: Culture in Psychotherapy Without the Corrosion of Identity Politics – A Bipartisan, Pro-Human Model.

Identity politics has fundamentally altered how culture and diversity are understood in clinical settings. Rather than deepening therapeutic relationships and cultural competence, current approaches often create division, restrict open dialogue, and undermine the moral depth that effective therapy requires. Mental health professionals across the political spectrum report feeling constrained, unsure how to honor genuine cultural differences without stepping on ideological landmines, or how to engage authentically with patients whose backgrounds and values differ from their own.

This isn’t an abstract professional concern. When therapists are compelled to navigate identity politics rather than focus on their patients’ well-being, the therapeutic alliance suffers. When training programs prioritize ideological conformity over intellectual diversity, the field loses crucial perspectives. When moral complexity gets reduced to simplistic frameworks, clinicians fail the people they’re meant to serve.

Dr. Douglas Novotny, Ph.D., brings a structural model for clinical work that re-enlivens moral depth without moralism. Drawing on research showing that ideological diversity — the ability to see topics from different points of view — actually improves psychological practice, this course offers practical frameworks for understanding cultural differences that transcend political polarization.

Central to Dr. Novotny’s approach is Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory, which provides a cultural lens for grasping differences across cultures, within cultures, and in the daily experiences of the clients and students therapists encounter. Rather than reducing cultural competence to demographic categories or political orthodoxies, this model helps clinicians understand the deep moral structures that shape how different people experience and navigate the world.

The course explores specific clinical applications, including the often-overlooked clinical utility of understanding moral foundations like disgust, loyalty, and sanctity. Participants will examine how this structural model explains both interpersonal divisions (between people) and intrapsychic divisions (within individuals), and explore practical ways to bridge those divisions through genuine cultural understanding and relational attunement.

The course also critically examines competing moral models and welcomes thoughtful critique, modeling the intellectual humility and openness it advocates. This is education that respects practitioners’ intelligence and moral seriousness rather than prescribing ideological positions.

At FAIR, we believe that moving beyond polarization requires more than good intentions; it requires better frameworks for understanding human difference and commonality. This webinar exemplifies our commitment to practical solutions that honor both individual dignity and shared humanity, that take culture seriously without reducing people to demographic categories, and that create space for genuine engagement across differences.

Mental health professionals occupy a unique position in our culture. The frameworks they use, the questions they ask, and the assumptions they bring to their work ripple outward, shaping not just individual clients but families, communities, and the broader culture. Supporting therapists in developing more nuanced, genuinely therapeutic approaches to culture and diversity serves our broader mission of building a society where all people are treated as individuals.

Whether you’re a practicing clinician struggling with how to navigate cultural issues authentically, a trainer concerned about ideological constraints in professional education, or someone committed to a more humane and effective approach to psychological practice, this webinar offers both intellectual resources and practical guidance.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

2026 BLM Toolkit: Empowering Parents to Stop Discriminatory Curriculum

Fair For All — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:21:10 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

As political activism increasingly infiltrates K-12 classrooms across the country, FAIR has developed comprehensive legal tools to help parents promote fairness, mutual respect, and constitutional equality in their children’s schools.

This week, high schoolers in Minneapolis joined anti-ICE protests during school hours. Training documents suggest these student walkouts are being coordinated by activist organizations that sponsor K-12 school clubs and partner with major teachers’ unions. Students are being offered “walkout guides,” “day of action” strategies, and training materials — all during a time when fewer than half of Minnesota students are proficient at their grade levels.

Schools are meant to be safe places for learning, not recruiting grounds for political activism. And Minneapolis is just one example of a troubling national trend.

From February 2-6, thousands of school districts nationwide will observe Black Lives Matter at School’s “Week of Action,” implementing lesson plans that may violate federal civil rights law by creating racially hostile learning environments.

The BLM at School curriculum teaches pre-kindergarten children that “our country has a racist history grounded in white privilege” and instructs fifth graders that Black people receive “overt and subliminal messages about being bad, ugly, and inferior to White people.” Other materials claim the nuclear family is an example of “whiteness/white supremacy.”

These lessons don’t just divide students; they may be illegal. They assign characteristics and blame to children based on skin color, creating the “racially hostile environments” that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act was designed to prevent. Recent Executive Orders and Department of Education guidance make clear: schools using such materials risk losing federal funding.

FAIR’s approach combines legal accountability with our signature civil discourse principles. We acknowledge what BLM at School organizers are trying to accomplish: addressing legitimate racial disparities, teaching Black history honestly and comprehensively, and creating authentically inclusive schools. These are goals we all share.

But we’re also concerned that BLM’s methods undermine these very objectives while violating constitutional principles of equal protection.

FAIR is responding with solutions, not just criticism. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive toolkit to give parents the resources they need to respond effectively.

FAIR’s BLM at School Week Toolkit includes:

Legal primer explaining how discriminatory curriculum violates Title VI
Sample OCR complaint ready to file if students experience hostile environments
Template letter for parents to send to school administrators
“Steel-manning” section that teaches the competing perspectives before explaining our constitutional approach
Family talking points grounded in Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles, contact theory research, and civil rights history

Parents often tell us they feel powerless when their children encounter divisive activism masquerading as education. This toolkit provides the tangible resources parents need to advocate against discriminatory curriculum.

The BLM at School Week Toolkit is available now for free download. But producing these essential materials to support parents and address the broader trend of classroom activism requires resources — and your partnership.

Your investment directly funds the tools parents need to reclaim their schools from organizations using children as political pawns. Specifically, your support will:

Expand our toolkit library to address other discriminatory curricula beyond BLM at School Week
Provide legal support to parents who file OCR complaints
Develop additional resources like our American Experience Curriculum, a constitutional alternative that teaches racial history and contemporary issues while building civil discourse skills
Train Chapter Leaders and parent advocates to effectively engage with school boards
Monitor school compliance with new federal civil rights guidance

Schools should be focused on academic excellence, not political indoctrination. At a time when student achievement continues to decline, our children deserve classrooms that unite rather than divide, that teach critical thinking rather than activist ideology, and that treat every student with equal dignity under the law.

Donate today to help FAIR provide resources that stop discrimination in schools. Every dollar makes a difference!

Together, we can ensure schools remain places of learning and genuine inclusion, not training grounds for divisive movements that put ideology above education.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

Emerging research suggests profound connections between diet, mood, and mental wellness. Yet medical orthodoxy has largely sidelined these conversations, even as rates of anxiety and depression, especially among young people, reach unprecedented levels. Why aren’t we having more robust discussions about whether nutrition might be part of the picture? What happens when legitimate scientific inquiry gets dismissed because it challenges established protocols? This first webinar will focus on adults, with a second conversation for adolescents coming soon. These aren’t anti-medicine questions; they’re pro-inquiry questions.

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

FAIR to Showcase the American Experience Curriculum at Minnesota Social Studies Conference

Fair For All — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:39:37 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

FAIR is excited to announce our participation in the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) Annual Conference, February 20-21, 2026, at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. As part of this year’s theme, “Cultivating Civic Spaces: Foundations for a Thriving Democracy,” FAIR will introduce Minnesota educators to the American Experience Curriculum, our comprehensive high school social studies curriculum designed to meet the moment our democracy needs.

The Minnesota Council for the Social Studies conference brings together educators dedicated to the vital work of preparing young people for democratic citizenship. This event provides an ideal platform to connect with Minnesota’s social studies educators who are committed to preparing students for active, informed citizenship. FAIR’s booth will feature curriculum materials, implementation resources, and opportunities to discuss how The American Experience can support teachers in creating classrooms where students learn to think rather than what to think.

FAIR’s American Experience curriculum represents a significant shift in how we approach civic education. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations about America’s past and present, the curriculum equips students with the tools to engage thoughtfully across differences — skills essential for sustaining a healthy democracy. FAIR’s curriculum has been assessed by the Johns Hopkins School of Education as meeting rigorous Ethnic Studies standards in California. The course also emphasizes constitutional principles, authentic inclusion of diverse voices, and evidence-based approaches to understanding our shared American story.

At a time when many educators struggle to navigate polarized classrooms and contentious subject matter, The American Experience offers a proven framework. The curriculum incorporates civil discourse techniques including “steel-manning” and “star-manning,” frameworks that teach students to engage opposing viewpoints with intellectual honesty and respect. Rather than prescribing ideological positions, it encourages critical thinking about complex historical and contemporary issues through primary sources, diverse perspectives, and structured dialogue.

Joining FAIR at the conference will be volunteer advocates who understand firsthand the challenges facing educators and families in communities grappling with questions of civic education, viewpoint diversity, and authentic inclusion. Their presence demonstrates FAIR’s grassroots commitment to supporting educators on the ground. FAIR is honored and excited to contribute to these conversations and to support teachers illuminating the path forward for their students and communities.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the need for rigorous, balanced civic education has never been more urgent. The American Experience curriculum is part of FAIR’s broader evolution from identifying problems to offering tangible solutions. While FAIR continues its important civil rights advocacy work through federal litigation and Office for Civil Rights complaints, we recognize that sustainable change requires providing educators with high-quality alternatives to divisive approaches.

We invite Minnesota educators attending the MCSS conference to visit FAIR’s exhibit space to learn more about The American Experience. Whether you’re seeking a social studies elective or exploring ways to strengthen students’ capacity for civil discourse, our team will be available to discuss how this curriculum might support your teaching goals. Educators can also learn about professional development opportunities and implementation support as we work toward Fall 2026 classroom pilots across multiple states.

We invite our supporters to donate to these efforts as we fundraise for mapping the American Experience Curriculum to Minnesota Standards and prepare for revisions to better align. We need your support!

For more information about The American Experience curriculum or to schedule a conversation with FAIR representatives at the conference, please visit fairforall.org or stop by our booth on February 20-21.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

The Body-Mind Connection: How Physiology Is Often Overlooked in Mental Health Care

Beyond Race: Addressing Multiracial Identity in Modern America

This conversation will directly support FAIR’s American Experience curriculum, which embraces the experiences of multiracial Americans in our national dialogue about identity and belonging. The fastest-growing demographic category in recent census data is Americans of “two or more races.” Yet our racial discourse, especially in DEI frameworks, often forces multiracial Americans into boxes that don’t reflect their reality. How do you navigate belonging when society demands you choose? How do multiracial families help their children develop strong identities in a culture that insists on singular categorization? FAIR Advisors Eli Steele and Greg Thomas will explore how multiracial Americans aren’t just navigating existing categories; they’re actively shaping what it means to be American in the 21st century.

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Beyond the Mountaintop: Martin Luther King and the Hard Work of Democracy

Fair For All — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 17:11:39 GMT

Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images

Dear Friends of FAIR,

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day arrives amid profound disagreements.

ICE raids in Minnesota have sparked fierce debate. The Trump administration’s designation of Venezuelan cartels as terrorist organizations and threats of military action against Iran have divided Americans sharply over questions of sovereignty, security, and American dominance. Social media and cable news reward inflammatory takes and fuel moral blindness on all sides. We isolate ourselves in communities where everyone agrees, making it harder to understand why reasonable people might see things differently.

It’s tempting to invoke Dr. King’s soaring rhetoric and imagine inspiration alone might unite us. But King’s legacy offers something more valuable: a model for engaging across deep differences without abandoning principle.

We remember his “I Have a Dream” speech, and rightfully so. But King spent most days navigating intense disagreements within the civil rights movement itself. He debated Malcolm X over integration versus separatism, wrestled with younger activists who found his nonviolence naive, and faced criticism from moderates who told him to slow down.

King’s genius wasn’t in avoiding conflict, but rather in engaging productively. His Letter from Birmingham Jail stands as perhaps the greatest example of civil discourse in American history. He steel-manned his critics’ arguments, presenting the strongest version before responding. He acknowledged their good intentions while holding firm to principle. He found common ground in shared constitutional values even as he challenged readers to live up to them.

King understood that people with identical values might reach different conclusions based on lived experiences. The question isn’t whether one side is purely righteous; it’s whether we can engage disagreements in ways that move us forward rather than harden divisions.

Americans supporting aggressive immigration enforcement genuinely believe they’re protecting rule of law and national security. Those opposing it genuinely believe they’re protecting human dignity and America’s founding promise. Both arguments rely on constitutional principles.

The pattern repeats in foreign policy. Some see recent shifts on Venezuela and Iran as necessary corrections. Others see dangerous destabilization. Both believe they’re defending American interests.

What would King’s approach look like today? Not pretending disagreements don’t matter, because they matter enormously. Not demanding everyone “be nice,” because genuine civility often means honest, uncomfortable engagement. And certainly not claiming King would have taken one particular side.

Instead, King’s approach asks us to present opponents’ strongest arguments before dismantling them, to acknowledge legitimate concerns while advocating forcefully for our position, and to seek common ground without papering over differences.

The civil rights movement succeeded because King and others built coalitions across differences and made constitutional arguments forcing Americans to confront gaps between stated ideals and actual practices. They practiced “constructive, nonviolent tension” to channel conflict productively.

Today’s challenges require holding principles firmly while engaging those who disagree with intellectual honesty—recognizing that political opponents usually aren’t evil, but operating from different experiences, and seeking solutions that address multiple concerns rather than demanding total victory.

The mountaintop vision matters, but we shouldn’t forget that King spent his time in the valley, patiently doing the work of persuasion and principled engagement. Perhaps the most meaningful way to honor his legacy is to commit to the democratic citizenship he devoted his life to: articulating our opponents’ best arguments, identifying shared values beneath our disagreements, and practicing civil discourse that makes democracy possible.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

The Body-Mind Connection: How Physiology Is Often Overlooked in Mental Health Care

Beyond Race: Addressing Multiracial Identity in Modern America

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Civil Discourse in Divided Times: Start 2026 with FAIR

Fair For All — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 14:57:49 GMT

Image: iStock/wildpixel

Dear Friends of FAIR,

The opening days of 2026 have reminded us why the work of civil discourse matters more than ever.

The military operation in Venezuela that resulted in Nicolás Maduro’s capture has sparked fierce debate about executive authority, international law, and American power. In Minneapolis, the death of Renee Good — a US citizen shot by an ICE agent during immigration enforcement — has ignited questions about federal authority, due process, and community safety. Whatever your views on these events, they both share something crucial: they’re forcing Americans to grapple with fundamental questions about government power, individual rights, and where legitimate authority begins and ends.

These aren’t questions with simple answers. They require exactly the kind of thoughtful engagement our constitutional system was designed to enable, and exactly the kind FAIR exists to model.

FAIR’s work has always been grounded in the conviction that Americans can handle complexity — a belief that we’re capable of holding multiple truths simultaneously, of engaging ideas we don’t fully agree with, and of building understanding across our differences. Our constitutional principles aren’t about enforcing uniformity; they’re about creating conditions where diverse perspectives can coexist and where open inquiry leads to better outcomes.

In moments like these — when the news demands that we choose sides quickly and judge definitively — the most valuable thing we can offer is space for genuine dialogue. Not as a substitute for taking positions, but as the foundation for taking informed ones. That’s why FAIR is hosting conversations this month that focus on questions we too often avoid: the complexities of racial identity that resist categorization, and the constraints on inquiry that limit our understanding of health and wellness.

FAIR in Medicine: The Mind-Body Connection

On January 21st at 7 PM EST/4 PM PST, we’re hosting a webinar on “The Mind-Body Connection: How Medical Orthodoxy Resists Nutrition’s Role in Mental Wellness,” featuring Dr. Kendra Kautz. This will be the first in a two-part series examining why it’s become surprisingly difficult to discuss and address the nutritional aspects of mental health.

This first webinar will focus on adults, with a second conversation for adolescents coming soon. These aren’t anti-medicine questions; they’re pro-inquiry questions.

The American Experience: Beyond Categories

On January 27th at 7 PM EST/4 PM PST, we’re hosting filmmaker Eli Steele and professor Greg Thomas for “Beyond Race: Addressing Multiracial Identity in Modern America.” This conversation will directly support FAIR’s American Experience curriculum, which embraces the experiences of multiracial Americans in our national dialogue about identity and belonging.

The fastest-growing demographic category in recent census data is Americans of “two or more races.” Yet our racial discourse, especially in DEI frameworks, often forces multiracial Americans into boxes that don’t reflect their reality. How do you navigate belonging when society demands you choose? How do multiracial families help their children develop strong identities in a culture that insists on singular categorization?

Steele and Thomas will explore how multiracial Americans aren’t just navigating existing categories; they’re actively shaping what it means to be American in the 21st century.

These webinars won’t offer simple answers. That’s deliberate. Yet as we enter another period of potential division, heated debate, and polarization, FAIR’s commitment to civil discourse matters more than ever.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to demonstrate what makes our constitutional experiment enduring: not agreement on every question, but a shared commitment to the principles that allow us to navigate disagreement. The American Experience isn’t about always reaching consensus; it’s about building the capacity to hold productive conversations across our differences, to pursue truth through open inquiry, and to strengthen our republic through engaged citizenship.

We hope you’ll join us for these conversations, whether live or through recordings. Your engagement matters. Every question asked, every perspective shared, every moment of genuine listening contributes to the American Experience we’re all building together.

Here’s to a year worthy of our 250th: better questions, deeper conversations, and renewed commitment to the principles that make genuine dialogue possible.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

The Body-Mind Connection: How Physiology Is Often Overlooked in Mental Health Care

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

The Year FAIR Turned Vision Into Reality

Fair For All — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:39:55 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

When we look back at 2025, we’ll remember it as the year FAIR turned from identifying problems to building real solutions that are changing classrooms, courtrooms, and cultural institutions across America.

Our Curriculum Is Opening Doors

Earlier this month, Dr. Dave Ferrero presented FAIR’s American Experience curriculum at the Oregon Civics Conference, where more than 50 educators actively engaged in sample activities. The feedback was inspiring. Teachers overwhelmingly intend to use FAIR’s comparative document analysis activity in their classrooms. The pre- and post-assessment tool for measuring students’ civil discourse skills emerged as the second most popular resource, with teachers eager to use it to evaluate classroom dialogue quality and student growth in civic engagement.

By providing concrete, classroom-ready resources, we’re already making an impact in Oregon.

And Oregon is just the beginning. We’re in active discussions with a private school in San Francisco to pilot FAIR’s curriculum in Fall 2026. In January, we’re meeting with a large Northern California school district about bringing the curriculum to their classrooms. And in March, we’re presenting at the California Council for the Social Studies Conference, where hundreds of educators gather to discover new teaching resources.

The demand is real, it’s growing, and we’re just getting started!

Our Legal Advocacy Is Winning

This year, FAIR filed several major Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaints documenting clear violations of civil rights laws, and we intend to keep this momentum going in 2026.

At Colorado State University, two instructors proudly published an academic article detailing how they deliberately induced “shame” and “guilt” in white and male students through what they called a “pedagogy of discomfort.” When students wrote “I don’t feel safe in this classroom,” the instructors laughed. FAIR filed an OCR complaint demanding accountability for this documented discrimination. The Chronicle of Higher Education—which reaches hundreds of thousands of faculty and administrators nationwide—featured our complaint, bringing national attention to discriminatory teaching practices even in higher education’s most resistant corners.

At the University of the District of Columbia, administrators rejected a proposed debate titled “Is the American Dream Alive for Black Americans?” featuring black and Hispanic panelists—including me. Why? Because university officials determined our perspectives were incompatible with what people of their racial identities should believe. FAIR filed an OCR complaint challenging this blatant viewpoint and racial discrimination.

In Washington state, we filed an OCR complaint against Tumwater School District after 15-year-old Frances Staudt was forced to withdraw from her basketball game rather than compete against a biological male. When Staudt and her mother raised safety concerns, school officials ridiculed them and then opened a harassment investigation against Frances for allegedly “misgendering” the male player. Just 11 days after FAIR filed our complaint, the Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into the district’s Title IX violations.

And we’re not stopping there.

FAIR is appealing Professor Zack DePiero’s case against Penn State University to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. DePiero was subjected to a hostile work environment for questioning whether telling white instructors that their “body perpetuates racism” was appropriate pedagogy. The university launched investigations against him instead of addressing the discriminatory training.

From university DEI programs that deliberately traumatize students based on race, to institutions that exclude speakers based on their racial identity and viewpoints, to school boards that resurrect segregation under the guise of inclusion—we’re documenting it, challenging it, and winning.

FAIR Artists Are Building Alternatives

This spring, we announced 14 artist grants to creators spanning theatre, film, visual arts, comedy, and education. These aren’t just talented artists; they’re pioneers building a new cultural infrastructure where excellence, integrity, and free thought can flourish outside the ideological gatekeeping that dominates today’s arts funding ecosystem.

One winner told us: “Beyond the financial support, what truly set this grant apart was the sense of being seen and supported as an artist working outside the ideological mainstream of today’s art world.”

Another shared: “FAIR’s support didn’t just fund my work—it validated it.”

Several of these projects have already been performed or exhibited, and others have secured additional funding thanks to FAIR’s initial support.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, FAIR is positioned to expand this impact exponentially. But sustaining this momentum—bringing our curriculum to classrooms nationwide, taking on more civil rights cases, supporting more artists—requires time and resources.

Your year-end gift will ensure that we can meet this moment. Every dollar you invest translates directly into expanded capacity: more teachers trained, more students defended, more artists supported, more ground gained in building the constitutional consensus America needs.

Donate now to help us turn this momentum into transformation!

The Constitution doesn’t enforce itself. Culture doesn’t change on its own. Alternatives don’t build themselves. Together, we’re proving that courage backed by action can defeat institutional discrimination and create the educational and cultural landscape our students and our country deserve.

Thank you for being a member of FAIR and thank you for believing in our mission!

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

FAIR Strengthens Leadership with New Board Appointments

Fair For All — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:49:18 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Judd and Chris Munce to our Board of Directors, effective 2025. These important additions reinforce FAIR’s commitment to principled leadership and operational excellence as we advance our mission of promoting civil rights, viewpoint diversity, and democratic discourse.

Chris Judd: Media Relations Professional and Former Elected Official

Chris Judd brings expertise in communications and public service to FAIR’s leadership. As a former journalist, elected local official, and legislative communications professional, he understands the critical intersection of media, policy, and public engagement that defines effective advocacy work.

Judd’s journalism career highlighted coverage of local government and breaking news through radio and newspaper reporting. This foundation in truthful, accessible communication directly aligns with FAIR’s commitment to open inquiry, evidence-based advocacy, and transparent public dialogue. His transition to legislative work encompassed media relations, speechwriting, and social media management, skills that are essential for FAIR’s expanding public outreach efforts.

Judd’s 15 years as an elected official include two terms on a public school board and seven years on a township board of supervisors in Pennsylvania. His extensive governance experience provides crucial insight into the educational and civic institutions where FAIR’s work has the greatest impact. Judd’s firsthand knowledge of school board dynamics will be especially valuable as FAIR continues to develop and implement the American Experience curriculum in classrooms next Fall.

Chris Munce: Distinguished Educator and Arts Leader

Chris Munce brings remarkable educational leadership and artistic excellence to FAIR’s Board. As a highly regarded choir director, conductor, and educator, Munce has demonstrated the transformative power of bringing diverse voices together in pursuit of shared excellence, a philosophy that directly parallels FAIR’’s commitment to uniting Americans across differences.

Munce’s credentials include a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, with graduate research focusing on early Baroque choral performance practice. Munce serves as director of Kantorei KC, a professional choir based in Kansas City, and has been a choral director at Lee’s Summit High School for 20 years, where his impact on music education exemplifies the kind of inspiring instruction that FAIR advocates. As host of the Choralosophy podcast, the world’s top-rated choir podcast for over four years, Munce has mastered the art of translating complex concepts into accessible, engaging content for professional audiences. His body of work has earned critical acclaim in The Kansas City Star and The Observer in London.

Munce’s dedication to educational excellence demonstrates the inclusive approach FAIR promotes through the American Experience curriculum. His platform-building expertise will prove invaluable as FAIR develops targeted marketing materials, and his success in audience-building positions him to help FAIR’s curriculum achieve maximum impact nationwide.

These new additions to our Board of Directors represent FAIR’s commitment to principled leadership and diverse expertise across multiple domains. Their appointments come at a critical moment as FAIR celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, positioning our educational philosophy within broader national conversations about democratic principles and civil discourse. Please join us in welcoming Chris Judd and Chris Munce to FAIR’s leadership team as we continue building a movement dedicated to fairness, understanding, and humanity.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign

Text FAIRFORALL to 707070 to donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign.

Depoliticizing K-12 Education: What to Know, What to Do

K-12 schools nationwide are increasingly becoming infused with political agendas. Learn what politicization looks like throughout curricula, including in subjects such as Ethnic Studies. On December 16th at 8:30pm EST, join us to find out how ACES and FAIR are working to protect students and promote constructive, quality education, and what YOU can do in your own communities.

The Toll of Cancellation on the Human Spirit

On December 18th at 7pm EST, we will explore the human cost of cancellation, the spiritual and emotional dimensions that often go unseen, and the importance of building a culture where disagreement does not mean disposability. Our guest Mary McDonald-Lewis will share her story, her losses, her resilience, and her hope for a better future—one marked not by fear, but by exchange, openness, and shared humanity.

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

FAIR Files OCR Complaint Against North Thurston Public Schools for Racial Discrimination

Fair For All — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:51:14 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

On December 2, 2025, FAIR filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights against North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) in Lacey, Washington. The complaint alleges violations of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for sponsoring racially segregated staff events, despite being informed by FAIR of the legal violations one year earlier.

In November 2024, FAIR sent a detailed letter to NTPS Superintendent Troy Oliver explaining that the district’s planned “Educators of Color” event violated federal civil rights law. Our letter cited Supreme Court precedent including Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and explicitly urged the district to ensure all employees could attend regardless of race.

NTPS ignored FAIR’s guidance. On November 12, 2025, the district’s Equity and Languages Department sent an email inviting only “staff of color” to a December gathering. This time, the district attempted to conceal the discriminatory nature by avoiding public flyers and relying on a restricted email list and word-of-mouth among selected employees.

Multiple non-“staff of color” employees reported to FAIR that they believed they were excluded from the event. The message was unmistakable: North Thurston Public Schools was willing to openly defy federal civil rights law to maintain racially segregated programming.

As FAIR explained to NTPS last year, federal law prohibits public schools from separating employees or excluding them from benefits based on race. The Supreme Court has consistently held that all racial classifications—even those characterized as “benign” or “separate but equal” —must survive strict scrutiny, a standard that is rarely met.

In Students for Fair Admissions, the Court emphasized that “eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it” and that equal protection “cannot mean one thing when applied to one individual and something else when applied to a person of another color.” This principle applies with full force to employer-sponsored events that exclude staff based on skin color.

NTPS’s conduct represents more than a policy violation. By proceeding with racially exclusive events after receiving legal guidance, the district normalized discrimination and undermined equal treatment principles that civil rights laws protect. The district’s decision to obscure the 2025 event through private invitations suggests awareness of wrongdoing, which made the violation even more egregious.

Cases like North Thurston illustrate why FAIR’s work extends beyond litigation to education. Our American Experience Curriculum teaches students the constitutional principles that protect all Americans from discrimination—principles that some educators apparently never learned themselves.

FAIR has requested that OCR investigate NTPS, require the district to cease all racially segregated programming, mandate Title VI and VII compliance training for administrators, and issue a corrective notice acknowledging that such events are unlawful. We will continue monitoring this case and advocating for equal treatment for all employees.

As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary in 2026, we face a choice: Will we recommit to the constitutional guarantee of equal treatment, or will we allow institutions to resurrect the segregationist practices brave Americans fought to abolish?

FAIR’s work—from filing OCR complaints to developing a curriculum that teaches constitutional principles—depends on supporters who believe that civil rights protections must apply equally to everyone. Your contribution enables us to:

Challenge discriminatory policies through legal advocacy
Develop and implement curriculum that teaches constitutional principles
Train educators on civil rights compliance
Monitor institutions and hold them accountable

Your gift ensures that when schools violate civil rights law, FAIR can respond—and the next generation learns why discrimination is wrong, regardless of which groups it targets or what justifications are offered.

Donate to FAIR Today!

Because when institutions ignore guidance about civil rights violations, enforcement becomes necessary—and education becomes essential.

With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director

Donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign

Text FAIRFORALL to 707070 to donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign.

FAIR in Conversation - 2025 Year-End Open Discussion

Please Join FAIR in Conversation on December 10th at 7pm ET as we discussing key content and themes that are common among each of the previous FAIR in Conversation books; topics such as AI, Humanity, traditions and values are a few of the areas expected to engage participants. It will be an open discussion with the participants and FAIR’s facilitators. As we look at our year in review feel free to bring suggestions for FAIR in Conversation topics in the year ahead.

Depoliticizing K-12 Education: What to Know, What to Do

The Toll of Cancellation on the Human Spirit

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

Join the FAIR Community

Join us, and become a member of FAIR.

Become a FAIR volunteer, or join a FAIR chapter.

Sign-up for a Welcome to FAIR Zoom information session to learn more about our mission.
Share your reviews and incident reports on our FAIR Transparency website.
View our FAIRstory Learning Standards.

Gratitude, Progress, and the Work Still to Come

Fair For All — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:32:38 GMT

Dear Friends of FAIR,

As Americans gather for Thanksgiving and we stand on the threshold of our nation’s 250th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come toward fulfilling our founding ideals of equality and justice for all. I’m deeply grateful for the progress FAIR has made across multiple fronts and for supporters like you who make this important work possible.

This year has been remarkable. Here are just a few of the ways FAIR has advanced fairness and civil rights:

We filed an OCR complaint on behalf of a 15-year-old female student-athlete in Washington state who experienced sex-based discrimination that prevented her from participating in her scheduled basketball game. The Department of Justice opened an investigation shortly after.
We appealed Professor Zack De Piero’s critical civil rights case against Penn State University, where he faced discrimination and a hostile work environment.
We filed an OCR complaint against Colorado State University professors who induced and documented shame and guilt in white and male students. Our complaint was featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education—one of the most influential publications in American higher education —bringing the issue of identity-based discrimination to hundreds of thousands of faculty and administrators who shape campus culture nationwide.
Through our groundbreaking Artist Grant program, we’re supporting eight grand prize winners and six runners-up—filmmakers, theater artists, visual artists, writers, and educators whose work champions artistic excellence and represents a culture of fairness and free thought.
From California to Minnesota, educators are expressing strong interest and excitement about adopting FAIR’s American Experience Curriculum, a groundbreaking course that engages students across differences and fosters the bridge-building our democracy desperately needs.

I’m thankful for each of these victories because they represent real people whose lives will be touched by fairness rather than division. When we win in court, we establish precedents that protect constitutional principles for all. When The Chronicle of Higher Education investigates and validates student concerns about feeling unsafe in classrooms because of their race or sex, we move the needle for every student facing similar discrimination. When we support independent artists who refuse to submit to groupthink, we’re reclaiming the arts for everyone. When we engage with a school district to adopt our curriculum, we’re giving young Americans the tools to navigate disagreement without demonization. This is how movements are built: one case, one classroom, one artist, one conversation at a time.

As we approach America’s semiquincentennial celebration, I’m acutely aware that we’re at a crossroads: what kind of nation do we aspire to be as we navigate the next 250 years?

Your support this giving season won’t just fund programs. It will help determine whether the next generation inherits a country defined by identity politics and division, or one that lives up to its promise of equal dignity for every human being. Together, we can make America’s 250th anniversary a moment when we celebrate our progress and fulfill our founding ideals for generations to come.

Will you join us? Your tax-deductible gift today directly supports the legal advocacy, curriculum development, and artist grants that are changing lives and shaping our nation’s future. Every contribution—whether $25 or $2,500—helps FAIR stand up for the next student, the next teacher, the next artist who refuses to believe that discrimination is acceptable or inevitable.

Please donate today!

With deep gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director, FAIR

Donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign

Text FAIRFORALL to 707070 to donate to FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign.

LEGAL UPDATES:

FAIR’s supported litigation in DePiero v. Penn State continues to advance through federal courts, with important arguments now before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Zack De Piero, a Penn State English professor, faced discrimination and retaliation after challenging the university’s mandatory “anti-racism” training sessions that characterized white teachers as inherently problematic and unable to effectively educate students.

On November 14, 2025, De Piero’s legal team filed their reply brief with the Third Circuit, which represents the final stage of written advocacy before oral argument and gives them the crucial last word to refute Penn State’s defense of their discriminatory practices. This case challenges the growing trend of discriminatory DEI programming and ideologically-driven training in higher education that create hostile work environments and violate constitutional protections for academic freedom and free speech. De Piero’s appeal represents a critical test of whether institutions can mandate racially hostile training and retaliate against those who object on legal and pedagogical grounds.

How can schools teach meaningful, academically sound ethnic studies without creating classrooms divided by politics or ideology? FAIR and ACES offer a collaborative discussion on best practices, curriculum approaches, and practical safeguards that support student well-being and intellectual diversity.

FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026

Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour

Join Us!

FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

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