We live in a society where we fight for our rights against racism, sexism, and other problems. Many people have written about their perspectives on these issues. There is a class that can help you link the past to the present through these books and concepts.

This class is the new course Multicultural Literacy and Human Rights coming to Miami High in the fall of 2018. This class will be taught by 9^th grade English and AP Psychology teacher Ms. Fernandini, who says the course will focus on exploring social justice and studying multi-ethnic counter-narratives. The course will examine positive messages, books, and ideas coming from people of different ethnicities focusing on different issues.

According to the course summary handed out by Ms. Fernandini, the course was added to “challenge students to overcome simplifying assumptions regarding human rights and to develop a nuanced view on human rights.”

The course is meant to change students’ perspectives on human rights. It’s an opportunity to take a look at the past and see how we’ve grown or just how the issue has evolved. It can even be to see problems from a new perspective and connect them to the present and future.

Lots of students want to learn about these issues. Junior Leila Bruna says, “I want to take this class because I believe not many high schools give an opportunity to study such controversial topics.” Junior Andrea Maltes thinks it’s important because “it will raise awareness and educate us about culture.”

The class will resemble an AP course, demanding hard work for students to succeed. According to Ms. Fernandini, you don’t need to know much about the topic as long as you have a good work ethic and the determination to learn more and do well.

Considering it’s an elective, you might ask what advantages it might give you. According to Ms. Fernandini, critical thinking, analytical writing, and learning higher education vocabulary are just some of the skills developed by the class. These skills will give you an advantage in courses like English, journalism, ethics, AP Literature, and more.

The class will be available for one period next year, holding about 50 students. If the class is successful and becomes more popular, more periods will be added.

Ms. Fernandini has let students know about the course in multiple ways. One way was through Instagram, where she created a post announcing the course being added. Another way to find out and learn more about the course is to ask your English teacher or to go to see Ms. Fernandini herself in room 3227.

Multicultural Literacy and Human Rights class:
 Students will explore social justice and study multi-ethnic counter-narratives
 The only requirement is a recommendation from your English teacher
 It will be offered during one period in the 2018-19 school year
 Talk to teacher Ms. Fernandini in room 3227 if you want to know more