Race Relations: The Struggle for Equality in America

Description

Age range 7 to 9 America's history of race relations is a difficult one, full of uncomfortable inconsistencies and unpleasant truths. Although the topic is sensitive, it is important to face this painful past unflinchingly - knowing this history is key to understanding today's racial climate and working towards a more harmonious society. In Race Relations: The Struggle for Equality in America, kids ages 12 to 15 follow the evolution of race relations in America from the country's earliest beginnings until present day. The book examines how the concept of race was constructed in the seventeenth century and how American colonists used racial differences to justify slavery, discrimination and the persecution of people of color. Through links to online primary sources such as newspaper articles, letters, poems, and songs, young readers will explore how race relations changed - and didn't - through the eras of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights, and under the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Barbara Diggs is a non-fiction writer and the author of The Vietnam War from Nomad Press. Her work has been featured in Learning Through History Magazine, History Magazine, and Renaissance, among others. A graduate of Stanford Law School, Barbara practiced law in New York for several years before becoming a professional writer. She and her family currently split their time between Paris, France, and Washington DC.Richard Chapman holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Vermont College. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and twins.

Library Thing/Goodreads This nonfiction title is just what the title suggests, detailing the various facets regarding race relations in the US and the world. It provides a broad overview of the topics related to race relations and serves as an introduction to the topic. There are a lot of great features to this title, including questions that encourage inquire, a historical timeline of events, infographics, images that break up the text, and fun comics that provide an alternative approach to digesting the information. Other helpful features are a glossary, index, source notes, suggested reading for books and websites, and QR codes that link to relevant material. Recommended. (*****). School Library Connection Grades 5-8 Part of a series called Inquire & Investigate Social Issues of the Twenty-First Century, this volume is a highly relevant and concise look at race relations in the United States over the last four hundred years. Focusing on both famous and everyday people who have fought for freedom, equality, and justice, the book also encourages readers to think about their own viewpoints with thought-provoking writing prompts and key questions. The layout and pleasing photographs and graphics make reading the book very enjoyable, and the addition of the QR codes so that readers can delve deeper into a topic with primary sources is a great interactive approach. Additional Resources. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Table of Contents. Recommended Booklist The Inquire & Investigate Social Issues of the Twentieth Century series offers facts, historical perspective, and useful suggestions for young people studying key issues in America today. The writers encourage further study and thoughtful consideration of their books' subjects, which have all seen shifts in political rhetoric and public perception over time. Besides presenting each topic, they challenge readers to engage in critical thinking and consider questions from various people's points of view. . . .While the history of Black Americans and changes in Black/white relations take center stage, Race Relations also spotlights the treatment of American Indians, Latinos, and Asian Americans. Well organized information and practical help for students researching significant social issues. Praise for other titles in the series Civic Unrest: Investigate the Struggle for Social Change Booklist This is a complete and thorough resource dealing with basic civic principles for the middle-level social- studies classroom.