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!) It is important to teach about the oppression not only because it is the curriculum but because it has shaped the cultural perspectives of many today. It is true that the students in the classroom should not be judged by what their ancestors or people of the same race did before their time. Many students can easily feel like John and feel their individual character is being attacked. Lectures and small group discussion are okay so long as no one race feels they are the only ones shown in a negative light. Perhaps one group assignment can be to research/discuss notable figures of the dominating race who opposed the hateful acts and spoke out against the "norm" for that era.