Making Curriculum Pop

QUESTION: How do you teach about emotionally charged historical events?

I am teaching literature at the post-secondary level; however, the particular works I am teaching require that I introduce the literature with a unit on African American history, particularly the early years of Reconstruction and the the history of lynchingWhat do you think is the best way to teach students about this inhumane and uncivilized treatment of African Americans?  So far, I found some photos and a short movie by James Allen on a website from his book and exhibit called Sanctuary.org  and the song Strange Fruit sung by Billie Holiday.  I am looking forward to your ideas  about how to approach this "loaded" topic.

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Replies to This Discussion

Thank you, Debra; yes, I agree with you and what you say about Sanctuary.org and its strengths. I am always shocked by the sheer fact that postcards were made, let alone sent; the thought of receiving one makes me ill. Anyway, yes, I would love to see your instructions on 4teachers.org; kindly give me the information. Thank you so much for sharing, Debra!
Thank you very much, Debra.
I have used the powerful and disturbing documentary The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story in conjunction with an extended writing activity...

"The Heart of the Matter"

Here's a page I put together with other teaching and music resources...

What's Really Going On (Strange Fruit)
Thank you, Jonathan. I will have to get hold of "The Tulsa Lynching of 1921" at one of our local video stores unless it's available to watch online (which I doubt); thanks in advance for introducing me to this documentary. I'm always pleased to expand my teaching repertoire. Your assignment is complex and interesting. You can be very proud of your eighth graders. They really rose to the occasion. Bravo!
I've been thinking about this too. When I hear words now like "slaves" or "immigrants" they sound pretty dehumanizing and generalized. I think drilling down to stories of individuals (preferably in their own words) brings in that humanity. I'd also give students forewarning about the imagery in the films and the option to "opt out" of viewing.
Also, I think it's important to balance the "bad" of history with the "normal" of history in appropriate proportion. African-American history/culture isn't "just" about fending off attacks from whites. There are families and lives and churches and schools and work and play and music and etc. I think a focus on racism and hate crimes centers "whiteness" and gives a skewed picture of African-American experience.

The digital archives of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture might be useful.
I really appreciate what you say at the end of your second message Patrina, and I know I need more education on the subject of positive history and culture. Right now, I do deal with the music, but it's so connected to the pain -- blues, spirituals, even jazz, so it would mean the world to me, and I'm sure to many of my colleagues and many members here, if you and other people you know could educate us more and give us more sources to learn more about what you call "the normal of history" --- churches, schools, work, and play. Would you be willing to post more and ask some of your friends to do so too? It would be a great help to a lot of us who don't have much of a command of this material. Thanks in advance, Patrina.
Wish I knew more on the subject. Seems that W.E.B. Du Bois did a number of sociological studies on African-American life during that time.

For some reason, I'm not able to put links in, but there's a wikipedia entry on Du Bois with links to some of his important works, including The Souls of Black Folks and Black Reconstruction. Also found a site devoted to an exhibit he did for the 1900 Paris Exposition called "Exhibit of American Negroes"

The Schombug Center for Research in Black Culture also has digital archives with photographs, letters, etc. from various periods in U.S. History.

--Patrina
Thanks for getting this started, Patrina. If anyone else out there has more information on this, please let us know.
Have a great evening, Patrina, and if anything comes to mind or if any of your friends and colleagues have thoughts or leads on this, please write again, Patrina.


With appreciation,

Ingrid
I'm curious to learn more too. I majored in Sociology undergrad and got my M.A. in Social Studies. It's amazing how little "other" history is taught in traditional programs. Did manage to get in a few African-/African-American Studies courses. The African-American Studies program at a nearby university might be a good place to contact to learn more.
Believe it or not, we don't have a separate program at ours!!!! I hope someone will come forward and offer some info on this ning! We have to have a member that has something to contribute about this.
You might also use this NYT article to further complexify the constructs of race..

Who’s White?

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