Lesson For Students
One of the enablers in the Tulsa Race Riot was the sensational or misrepresentation of headlines and facts. Headlines perpetuated violent acts against Dick Rowland, as well as insinuating acts that never occurred. Other headlines would emphasis injuries or deaths to a few white people who initiated violence, while other stories involving tens to hundreds of affected blacks were buried. When death counts or property damage was reported correctly, later editions would be printed that recanted the reports. The master versions of the papers would also be scrubbed out of existence.
As a lesson plan, have the students study how the media shapes the outlook of racial events. A current example would be the 2015 Baltimore Riots, in which news agencies often focused on the few instances of black violence and ignored the much more widespread acts of kindness and peaceful protesting.
Have each student pick a situation: the 1917 East St. Louis Riot and the 1943 Detroit Race Riot are examples. Have them create a website much like this one. They should look to observe the events in the years leading up to the riot, the occurrence that spurred the riot, what happened during it, the aftermath, and current day implications.
The goal of this project is twofold. First, it allows students to gain a perspective on an area of America that many thought ended long ago. Second, it gives a creative way for students to combine research and design.
As a lesson plan, have the students study how the media shapes the outlook of racial events. A current example would be the 2015 Baltimore Riots, in which news agencies often focused on the few instances of black violence and ignored the much more widespread acts of kindness and peaceful protesting.
Have each student pick a situation: the 1917 East St. Louis Riot and the 1943 Detroit Race Riot are examples. Have them create a website much like this one. They should look to observe the events in the years leading up to the riot, the occurrence that spurred the riot, what happened during it, the aftermath, and current day implications.
The goal of this project is twofold. First, it allows students to gain a perspective on an area of America that many thought ended long ago. Second, it gives a creative way for students to combine research and design.
Works Cited:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/app/race-riot/timeline.html
http://www.greenwoodculturalcenter.com/black-wall-street
http://thislandpress.com/04/18/2012/tate-brady-battle-greenwood/
http://tulsahistory.org/learn/online-exhibits/the-tulsa-race-riot/