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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 would start my lesson by making the point that all of the events of the civil rights movement happened in the past before any of my students were even born. I would also make it clear that it was not necessarily all white people that oppressed blacks, but that it was the people in power that caused the problems. I would not discuss how "Whites oppressed blacks," but i would discuss how the "Majority oppressed a minority." Avoiding generalizing terms like "White people" is a good way to avoid problems. Saying "White people" means that every single citizen of the United States that happened to be white, oppressed black people. This statement is completely false. If the majority at this time oppressed black people, and there was a white person who did nothing to oppress them, then that person was not a part of the majority. |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: |
| Rated On: February 11, 2013 12:03 am |
| Rated By: Sara Jernigan |
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Rating
| The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is relevant to the case |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue |
Yes
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| The suggested solution is original |
Yes
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| Comments: I think this solution because all white people simply did not oppress black people it was only a part of the white population that was enforcing this crime against humanity. |
| Rated On: October 20, 2014 12:23 am |
| Rated By: Adam Sanchez |
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