Racism & Racial Identity Archives

Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book

Book — Non-fiction. By Julian Bond and illustrated by T. G. Lewis. 1967. 19 pages.
This "graphic novel" from the 1960s was written to provide a critical analysis of the Vietnam War in an easy to read format.

Frederick Douglass | Zinn Education Project

Frederick Douglass: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”

Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
Frederick Douglass' speech "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" (1852) is read by Danny Glover.

Howard Zinn on History

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. Introduction by Staughton Lynd. 2011. 192 pages.
A collection of 27 writings on activism, electoral politics, the Holocaust, Marxism, the Iraq War, and the role of the historian.

After the Levees Broke: Bearing Witness Through Poetry

Teaching Activity. By Renée Watson. Rethinking Schools. 7 pages.
A teacher's reflection on the power of poetry to spark critical discussion and reflection on current issues of inequality surrounding disaster response in the United States.

Unleashing Sorrow and Joy: Writing Poetry from History and Literature

Teaching Activity. By Linda Christensen. Rethinking Schools. 10 pages.
Teacher reflection on different ways to effectively incorporate poetry into history or literature classes.

Teaching Activity by Linda Christensen

The Road to Brown

Film. By William Elwood. 1990. 56 minutes.
The little known story of Charles Hamilton Houston who paved the road to Brown v. Board.

Slave Catchers, Slave Resisters

Film. Produced by Judy Richardson, Northern Light Productions for History Channel. 2005. 100 minutes.
Documentary on the many rebellions by enslaved people and other forms of resistance.

She Would Not Be Moved: How We Tell the Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Book — Non-fiction. By Herbert Kohl. Intro by Marian Wright Edelman. 2007. 126 pages.
The myths and facts about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Debating the Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1968

Book — Non-fiction. By Stephen Lawson and Charles Payne. 2006. 227 pages.
Introduces and examines the complex story of the modern Civil Rights Movement as it should be taught, providing key background information and analysis for teachers.

Teach Freedom: Education for Liberation in the African-American Tradition

Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Charles M. Payne and Carol Sills Strickland. Foreword by Charles E. Cobb Jr. 2008. 304 pages.
Documents the history of the use of education as a tool of collective liberation by African Americans.

Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock

Film. Directed by Sharon LaCruise. 2011. 54 minutes.
Documentary on the life of Daisy Bates, best know for her role with the Little Rock Nine.

Hurricane Dancers

Book — Fiction. By Margarita Engle. 2011. 160 pages.
Historical fiction in the form of poetry about the conquest and resistance.

No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller

Book — Non-fiction. By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Artwork by R. Gregory Christie. 2012. 188 pages.
The story of Lewis Micheaux, owner of the famous National Memorial African Bookstore for grades 7+ .

Precious Knowledge

Film. Directed by Ari Luis Palos and produced by Eren Isabel McGinnis. 2011. 70 minutes.
High school seniors become community leaders in Tucson's embattled Ethnic Studies classes while state lawmakers attempt to eliminate the program.

Ruby Bridges

Film. Directed by Euzhan Palcy. 1998. 96 minutes.
The true story of Ruby Bridges, the six-year-old girl who helped to integrate the all-white schools in New Orleans.

Mississippi Morning

Picture book. By Ruth Vander Zee. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. 2004. 32 pages.
A thought-provoking story of one boy's loss of naivete in the face of racism and harsh historical realities.

Rethinking Multicultural Education: Teaching for Racial and Cultural Justice

Teaching Guide. Edited by Wayne Au. Rethinking Schools. 2023 (3rd edition).
A Rethinking Schools collection of articles and lessons for multicultural, anti-racist, social justice education in K-12.

Sing Your Song: What Good is a Conscience If It Is Not Awakened

Film. Directed by Susanne Rostock. 2011. 104 minutes.
A biographical documentary that surveys the life and times of performer/activist Harry Belafonte.

The Real Ebonics Debate: Power, Language, and the Education of African-American Children

Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Theresa Perry and Lisa Delpit. 1998. Rethinking Schools in collaboration with Beacon Press. 227 pages.
A special edition of Rethinking Schools, educators, linguists, writers, and students examine the lessons of the 1996 Oakland Ebonics controversy.