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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 feel that this topic is a sensitive issue in almost every grade. Throughout my past 3 years in college, anytime slavery or other related topics are mentioned, there seems to be tension in the classroom from both Blacks and Whites. As a future educator, I do wonder how I will cover topics such as these in a way that will be comfortable for my students, yet comprehendible and fair at the same time. In my opinion, topics such as these may always remain difficult to teach and to learn about, but there may be some ways to make them tolerable and ease some hard feelings. A possible solution could be to explain to the students upfront before the lesson that some of these topics may be sensitive to some people and that feelings should be respected. Regarding the actual content of the lesson, a possible solution could be to explain to students that this is an important part of history that must have an awareness about it, but to look at the positive aspects of the situations. Explaining to students that even though times like those were tough, both Blacks and Whites have come such a long way since then. Students can then compare the past to the future, focusing on what positive changes both Blacks and Whites have made to improve the situations that once occurred. This could be a good way to shift or mask the negativity stemming from these difficult topics. |
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