Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot

Time Periods: 20th Century, People’s Movement: 1961 - 1974

Themes: African American, Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Organizing, Social Class

Teachers and high school students are front and center in this short documentary on the 1960s freedom movement in Selma.

Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot uses an effective combination of historic footage, interviews, photos, and dramatic drawings (like a graphic novel) of selected scenes—all to a freedom song soundtrack.

Many of the key points referenced in the Zinn Education Project article by Emilye Crosby, “Ten Things You Should Know About Selma Before You See the Film,” are included in this classroom-friendly documentary.

As with all Teaching Tolerance films, Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot is free for teachers. Request a copy.

For middle and high school.