Introduction
- The aim of this lesson is to explore the concept of race and ethnicity in the United States through case studies.
- Students will gain an understanding of the historical and societal factors that have influenced race relations in the U.S.
Learning Objectives
- Define the terms race and ethnicity.
- Analyze how race and ethnicity intersect with other forms of inequality.
- Examine case studies that illustrate issues related to race and ethnicity in the United States.
Key Concepts
- Race: A socially constructed category that is based on physical characteristics such as skin color.
- Ethnicity: A socially constructed category that is based on shared cultural heritage, language, and traditions.
- Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categories such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and how they shape experiences of oppression and privilege.
Case Studies
- The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment
- In this case study, students will learn about the unethical medical study conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service on Black men with syphilis from 1932 to 1972.
- Students will analyze the ways in which racism and medical bias contributed to the mistreatment and exploitation of Black men in the study.
- Japanese Internment during World War II
- In this case study, students will learn about the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
- Students will analyze the ways in which racism, xenophobia, and wartime hysteria contributed to the violation of Japanese Americans' civil rights.
- The Flint Water Crisis
- In this case study, students will learn about the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, and how it disproportionately affected the city's Black and low-income residents.
- Students will analyze the ways in which systemic racism, environmental injustice, and government negligence contributed to the crisis.
Discussion Questions
- What are some examples of how race and ethnicity intersect with other forms of inequality, such as class and gender?
- How have historical and societal factors contributed to the perpetuation of systemic racism in the United States?
- What steps can individuals and communities take to combat racism and promote racial justice?
Homework
Read the following articles and answer the accompanying questions:
- "The Color of Justice: Racial and Ethnic Disparity in State Prisons"
- What are some reasons for the racial and ethnic disparities in state prisons?
- How do mandatory minimum sentences and the "War on Drugs" contribute to these disparities?
- "What White Privilege Really Means"
- What is white privilege?
- Can you think of any examples of white privilege in your own life or in society?
Image Descriptions
The image of two segregated drinking fountains labeled "colored" and "white" to illustrate racial segregation in the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
The image of a group of Japanese Americans being forcibly removed from their homes during World War II to illustrate the Japanese internment case study.
The image of a corroded Flint, Michigan water pipe to illustrate the Flint water crisis case study.