On January 6, 2021, the country witnessed the historic election of Reverend Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black senator, and of Jon Ossoff, Georgia’s first Jewish senator. A few hours later, insurrectionists—many bearing white nationalist symbols—stormed the Capitol building and sought to overturn the results of a free and fair election. These events, as well as the subsequent Congressional investigation and criminal trials of the perpetrators of the January 6 insurrection, offer evidence of the ongoing struggle to establish a truly inclusive democracy in the United States.
In her book Our Time Is Now, Stacey Abrams writes: “Our nation’s core narrative can be summed up in the disconnect between the Constitution’s pledge of equality and the rampant disregard for that ambition that has plagued the United States of America ever since.” 1 Throughout US history—from the abolitionist movement, to civil rights movements, to the current movement for Black lives—activists have held up the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution and used them to expand civil and political rights. However, the history of the United States is not a simple story of steady progress toward a more perfect democracy. As Stacey Abrams reminds us, from our founding, there have been those who have violently resisted equality and have used their power to restrict rights and participation.
In this mini-lesson, students learn about the history of democratic and anti-democratic efforts in the United States and examine a series of sources that illuminate this tension from Reconstruction to today.
Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.
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