The Exhibit

Created by Facing History and Ourselves, Choosing to Participate is part of a global initiative encouraging young people and adults to think deeply about the importance of participating in a democratic society.

The centerpiece of this initiative is a multimedia exhibition that is currently on a five city national tour. This powerful exhibition examines the impact and history of racism and injustice, and looks at the courageous choices people made to build strong and inclusive communities. 

Host cities include Cleveland, Washington D.C., Memphis, New York, and Chicago. The previous seven city tour reached hundreds of thousands of students, educators, and community members.

Through the exploration of four stories from contemporary American history, visitors consider the following questions: What does it mean to be a citizen of a democracy? What can we learn from each other's stories? What is our responsibility to society?

From a late night subway ride in New York City in the 1950s to desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas, a Montana community speaking out against hate, and the challenges faced by a young Cambodian refugee as he struggled to build a new life in New Hampshire, these stories challenge us to consider our responsibilities as citizens and encourages dialogue, respect, and participation in our communities.

Guided tours are directed toward middle and high school students. We are now accepting reservations for the Washington, D.C. stop on the tour.