The relaunch of the Teaching Hard History podcast series reminds us that discussing the history of slavery in the United States in age-appropriate ways can help young people understand how that history influences life today. Slavery is the institution that made racism a part of our nation’s foundation, and the legacy of slavery is present in many current systems that disproportionately affect Black children and families. If we are to build a more positive future together, learning this history is essential for healing and reconciliation.
Textbooks reflect dominant social structures—including biases and the lack of representation of people who are historically relegated to the margins. Educators are looking for ways to use and expand on textbook content to teach a more inclusive and honest history. These LFJ resources provide some suggestions for how to make that happen.
