

Activity
Students are introduced to the themes of the compelling question by responding to a quote from James Baldwin that sparks their thinking about the complexities and contradictions within US history.
At a Glance
Language
English — USSubject
- History
Grade
9–12Duration
One 50-min class period- Democracy & Civic Engagement
- Human & Civil Rights
- Racism
Overview
About this Activity
Students explore the ideas behind the compelling question for this inquiry: How do we reckon with a history full of complexities and contradictions? They engage with a quote from James Baldwin—”American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it” 1 —to generate curiosity about the inquiry and begin thinking about the complexities of US history.
- 1Baldwin, “A Talk to Teachers.”
Procedure
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Activity 1
Staging the Compelling Question
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