ABSTRACT

This chapter provides the case of a teacher using film to teach about race in both a historical and contemporary context that seeks to show race not as something that is resolved, but as an ever-changing issue with moments of both progress and regress. It is an example of using film to teach about race in US society and reveals how one teacher promotes open and powerful discussions of race and racial conflict in his diverse classroom. Promoting the discussion of difficult controversial issues in social studies classes is itself contentious for some, but in our view, exceedingly important. Discussions of difficult contemporary issues that are well scaffolded and purposeful can promote the broad goal of preparing students to participate in and contribute to our democracy. An additional reason for using films to support teaching about difficult contemporary issues is because they can help students develop essential analytical and evaluative skills.