Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         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!) Unfortunately, there is no instructional approach that will "make sure" that a student will not get offended by America's history. Truthfully, America has done some pretty offensive things. I am sure that there are African Americans in your class who are equally offended by the transgressions committed to their ancestors. Anytime an educator presents a controversial topic, it is in the best interest of preserving order to try to disarm students a bit. Perhaps you can begin by noting that although America is a great country, it has a very hurtful past. And sometimes the class will have to address the hurt, offenses, and dark parts in order to prevent such inequities from ever having to happen again. Therefore, the present should be a time for rebuilding race relations and other hindrances that can prevent our country from thriving and being great. As educators, we are keepers of truth and knowledge and as Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor proclaimed, we should "never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation." Silence is not neutral.