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Case: Why Should I Listen? As part of my 7th grade Social Studies curriculum, I have to talk about slavery, the civil rights movement, etc. The topic ultimately leads to a discussion of how Whites oppressed Blacks. I try to present these topics in a way that does not suggest any guilt. This year, one of my students had a very bad reaction. When we were talking about the civil rights, John, one of my well-behaved but opinionated students, got up and said that he did not want to listen to this lesson anymore, because all we did was to demonize the White people. Three other students openly agreed with him saying that these topics made them angry. I have to cover these topics because they are a part of my curriculum. Also, I believe in the importance teaching children about these inequalities. However, it seems like the way I teach, which is mainly based on lectures and small group work, is making my White students uncomfortable. What should I do to make sure that my White students do not feel offended by these topics? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I can see how this could be a very touchy subject. The way slavery is sometimes taught it often demonizes white people and makes it seem like all of them were slave owners. White people aren't the only group that has enslaved others. Robert Davis has done research that suggests Muslims in north Africa enslaved European Christians. Many Africans kidnapped and sold their fellow Africans to Europeans in the North Atlantic slave trade and this was often their main source of income. I would have the students research other groups that have owned slaves and have been enslaved as well to make them understand that multiple groups contributed to the capturing, selling, and owning of slaves. |
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