M02: Historical Hack: Historical Empathy and Understanding

Optional Enrichment Activity - Complete this optional activity to learn how to examine historical examples of systemic racism and to better understand how systemic racism has changed and persisted into modern history. 

Suggested Activities:

Complete the blue activity box at the bottom of the page titled Understanding Systemic Racism Links to an external site.. The first prompt can be used as a jumping board about how the ideas of the Jim Crow era South contributed to a system of racism.

• The second prompt is about how your views have been shaped by various cultural influences. This could be used as a private reflection by you.

• In the blue activity box at the bottom of the page Ida B. Wells and Systemic Racism Links to an external site., you will reflect on the idea of “unwritten” laws that exist in the present, as well as modern-day examples of how systemic racism is justified.
  • For the first prompt, you can reflect on the question “are there “unwritten” elements—perhaps not as extreme as lynching—that continue in society as we see it?” This could also be an opportunity for you to do research and identify specific instances in recent history that are a result of these unwritten laws existing in our society.
  • For the second prompt, which asks about the justifications for Jim Crow and their relevance today, you could jot down your personal thoughts.