The Scottsboro Boys and Emmett Till Essential Question: How did racial adversity in the 1930s to 1950s effect the push towards civil rights?

Today’s Goal(s) Students will analyze a written text and identify its main idea, audience, and key components. Students will make comparisons to “To Kill a Mocking Bird” while engaging in activities about the Scottsboro boys and the the racial adversities that existed in the United States in the South.

Agenda DIN (5 min) Share out (3-5 min) Intro- The “Scottsboro Boys” (5 min) Quick Write and discussion (5-8 min) Reading, worksheet, and discussion (25 min) TOD (5 min)

DIN Describe a time you have seen an “injustice” in both a first hand experience (in school, your community) and in the news (in another country, in another state). How did it make you feel? What did you feel like doing?

“Scottsboro Boys”

“Scottsboro Boys” Background In 1931, 9 African American teens were “hoboing” (illegally riding the train) with a group of white teenagers in the South. The small white group became confrontational with the African American group on the train. The white teens claimed that “the train was for white folk only!” The White group of teens then tried to hurt the African American passengers by punching and throwing rocks. The African American Passengers resisted and as a result the white Teens were kicked off the train.

Quick Write in your notebooks Why do you think the African American passengers strongly resisted getting off the train? Do you think this was more a matter of pride or a matter of safety? Explain. (Think about the time period and what part of the country they are travelling through)

Background continued… When the White teens were kicked off the train, they went to the local sheriff and complained that they had been “violently attacked.” The sheriff gathered a posse to arrest the boys. However, when the posse arrived and the African American teens left the train, two white women also got off.

Continued… The two girls claimed they were raped and the 9 African American Teens were carried off to jail. This would begin a series of trials that would shape American history.

Reading activity With a partner or independently- read the article.

TOD How is Tom Robinson in “To kill a Mocking Bird” similar to that of the Scottsboro boys?

Today’s Agenda DIN (5 min) Din Discussion (3-5 min) A short Documentary(5 min) Discussion and quick write (5-8 min) The impact of the murder and the trial (20 Min) TOD (5 min)

DIN 2/28 Reflect: How is Tom Robinson in “To kill a Mocking Bird” similar to that of the Scottsboro boys? Bonus Question: How did the trial influence the push for civil rights?

The Murder of Emmett Till https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cWRx YJ9coU

The outcome of the trial Reactions? Quick Write- Why do you think this was a major catalyst for the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s?

The case and outcome in depth… In groups of 2 or 3 read, annotate, and answer the questions.

TOD Why is the murder of Emmett Till considered the start of the civil rights movement? Why do you think the Scottsboro case is not considered the start of the movement? (Think back to how the Communist Party thought of the outcome of the case)

Agenda 3/1 DIN (5 min) Discussion (3 min) Current issues with racism in America discussion (10 min) Implicit and Explicit Racism activity (5 min) Justice for crimes committed in the name of racism (20 min) TOD (5 min)

DIN 3/1 Why is the murder of Emmett Till considered the start of the Civil Rights movement? Bonus Question: Do you think that there will be a time when racism and injustice is completely eliminated in the United States? Why?

Current/ Ongoing Issues in Civil Rights Three broad categories: 1.Stereotyping and fear leading to violence 2. Police driven racism 3. Implicit and Explicit Racism

Stereotyping the Black Teenager “If they are in a white neighborhood, then they are up to no good.” The Trayvon Martin case- shedding the light on racism in America. Personal Experiences?

Police and a history of Racism Most Cops are not racist and do their jobs well. However, due to the fact that they are in a position of power, some in the community will act on their fears and prejudices. In the past there has been institutional racism of police in the African American Community. Tragedy = Action: the Rodney King video that shocked the nation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZ5xuZOlbk

Quick write How do you think the African American community reacted to this video? How do you think this video of police brutality helped change policing in Las Angeles?

Implicit and Explicit Racism The KKK terrorizing a family when they move into a predominantly white neighborhood. Voter ID laws Gerry Mandering “Urban”

DIN Reflect: Give me a couple examples of explicit racism (Outward and seen). Bonus Question: Give me one example of implicit racism. (Not outward but shows racism anyway.

Implicit and Explicit Implicit examples Explicit Examples

Our judicial system’s attitude toward explicit Racism and the committing of a crime against African Americans http://usuncut.com/news/racists-terrorized-black-childs-bday-party- confederate-flags-just-got/ http://www.myajc.com/news/local/douglas-county-confederate-flag-case- sentenced-lengthy-prison-terms/6cDtrxkl9Q7ILElPhGqd6O/

Racism and Prejudice Toward Muslims (Islamophobia) In the last 7 weeks there have been 4 mosques burned down in the South. Trumps Travel Ban The Kansas City shooting of a man because he looked “Muslim.” How are these three examples similar and how are they different?

Islam in American Culture pre-9/11 Aladdin Lawrence of Arabia The Mummy

Post 9/11 The TV show “24” “Homeland” The media’s obsession with Middle Eastern violence and trivialization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_vmQrTi3aM

TOD In the 60s, peaceful protests and strong African American leadership helped bring about meaningful change for the push for Civil Rights. In 2017, what are some tools or strategies that could help expose racism and help end/limit this type of hate? For African Americans? For Muslims?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JT11oAjzjg