Talking in the classroom about racial inequity and injustice can be difficult. But teachers must engage students in courageous conversations, if we are to help our students become responsible citizens. Teaching about the history of race, racism, and resistance, especially in our own communities, can be an effective entry point for students.

Lessons and Primary Sources

Teaching about race and African American history needs to be holistic. It is critical that students be exposed to the whole range of human experience that has characterized the lives of black people in the US. Teachers need to move beyond portrayals of black people as simply victims or heroes. Similarly, while we emphasize the realities of white supremacy and structural racism, students also need to see how white people have been and continue to be allies in the struggle for racial justice and social and economic equity. The lessons, primary sources, and bibliographies presented here have been curated with these goals in mind.

Discussion

It is easy to talk about making your classroom a safe space for engaging students in challenging discussions about controversial or emotional topics, but doing so effectively requires intention and takes work. Safe spaces aren’t created so students can be comfortable. They are created so students can bravely speak respectfully and be heard with respect.

Discussion protocols will help you facilitate courageous conversations with your students, by building trust, modeling inclusivity, acknowledging uncertainty, and developing self-awareness.

Protocols for Courageous Conversations >

Anti-Bias Books

Recommendations from Flow of History teachers.

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