"12 Years a Slave" now available for high schools nationwide

As part of a national educational initiative, the acclaimed film, book, and study guide “12 Years a Slave” will be available to America’s public high schools.

This nationwide educational effort was the brainchild of director Steve McQueen and Montel Williams, and now “12 Years a Slave” educator toolkits are available to all public high school teachers timed to the 2014-15 school year.

Educators who gain permission to teach “12 Years a Slave” to their students will receive a free kit which includes: a DVD copy of the film (edited version with disclaimer/parental consent requested); a paperback copy of the Penguin book; the “12 Years a Slave” printed study guide; and a letter from Steve McQueen. Any U.S. public high school teacher with permission to add this to the high school curriculum can go  here click on the button for teachers to opt in and request an educators’ toolkit for their school.

Let's face it, "12 Years a Slave" is a brutal movie. But it's also an important part of our history that should not be forgotten, so it'll be great to see high school teachers include it in their curriculum when teaching American history. Plus, it's edited to make it more suitable to younger audiences. I hope many teachers bring it into their classrooms.