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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 believe the best possible way to address this situation is to do a lesson focusing on the good that White people did during the Civil Rights Movement and Slavery. Not all whites were slave owners or did horrible things. Pull out a few of them and focus on how they helped African Americans to not be in slavery or helped escape slavery. There will still probably be one in every crowd that chooses to say they are offended but as teachers having to follow the guidelines it is important to make sure the students know that you are doing what you have to do in order for them to learn the standards. |
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