Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 1 of 27

Objective


Define significant terms related to racial justice.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “The History and Present-Day Power of White Privilege” by Cory Collins, adapted by Fishtank Staff 

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

According to the article, how does race affect a person's experience and access to wealth and services? Provide examples from the article to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What is the difference between racism and bias? Give an example of each.

  • Explain what the following quote suggests about white privilege in American society: 

    "The more complicated truth: White privilege is both unconsciously enjoyed and consciously perpetuated. It is both on the surface and deeply embedded into American life. It is a weightless knapsack—and a weapon. It depends on who's carrying it." (p. 3)

  • What is the relationship between white privilege and having "the benefit of the doubt"? Provide examples from the article to support your answer.

Vocabulary


Text-based

bias

n.

(p. 1)

a conscious or unconscious prejudice against an individual or group based on their identity

privilege

n.

(p. 1)

a special right or advantage granted or available only to a particular person or group

prejudice

n.

(p. 1)

an unfair opinion or assumption about a person or group based on race, sex, religion, or other identifying factors

injustice

n.

(p. 2)

violation of right or of the rights of another; unfair treatment

bystander

n.

(p. 2)

a person who is present at an event, or observes unacceptable behavior, but does not take action

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  pp. 1 – 23

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where is Rashad when the book begins and where is he planning to go?

  • Who are Rashad's friends?

  • What is Rashad doing at Jerry's? What happens with the white woman?

  • What does he get accused of?

  • What does the police officer do after this accusation?

Notes for Teachers

This section of text contains descriptions of police brutality that may be upsetting. Tonight's pages also include profanity.

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.

Supporting Standards

RI.8.1
RI.8.10
SL.8.6
W.8.4
W.8.9.b
W.8.10

Next

Analyze how the authors of All American Boys characterize Rashad and develop his perspective in Chapter 1.

Lesson 2
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