Task 1:
Poll Tax and Literacy tests became standard in the South. Visit this site and explore an exam.
What exam did you look at?
What are your thoughts on the exam and the difficulty level?
Task 2:
Visit the Virtual Jim Crow Museum and begin exploring. As you make your way through the museum draw your attention to the different ways racial stereotypes are reinforced and how that stands in the way of achieving equality.
Instructions on navigating the site:
The circles on the ground help you ‘walk’ through the museum. Click on those circles to move down the hall.
The Red and Blue circles on the wall are for information. They provide background for the memorabilia.
The bottom left corner of the screen gives you options on how to view the museum. If you click on the arrow you will see the 12 different rooms – I personally preferred that view.
Understanding the origins of Jim Crow
Make your way to the first room (4/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles, including the red video circle.
Explain the origins of the Jim Crow and the laws that evolved from them:
Racism on the radio
Make your way to the second room (5/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles for “Amos and Andy”, “Pick and Pat” and/or “Sheet Music”. Please listen to at least 2 or portions of all 3.
Until the war ended white southerners only knew African Americans as slaves, viewing them only as property. When freedom was earned, it was hard to imagine what type of ‘people’ they would become and some of their only exposure came from entertainment. What types of racial stereotypes are portrayed in these clips and how can that impact an integration of the races? (be specific about the examples from the clips).
Black Face
Make your way to the second room (5/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles for “Blackening Up”
In what way might white actors portraying African Americans have an impact on racial stereotypes? Not to mention how it is impacting our society today.
Also watch this informational clip and pledge that you understand it. Form a pledge like sentence below to show me you watched and understand this ‘reminder’. (“I pledge to never…”
Lynching/social control, the KKK and Brute Caricatures
Make your way to the second room (6/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles about Klansmen, women and children.
In your opinion, what were the KKK fighting to restore? How might their efforts be seen as a counterrevolution? (BTW: Reconstruction was seen as a revolution).
Creating a Target
Make your way to the second room (7/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles
How did carnival games help reinforce the idea that blacks were deserving and WILLING victims of white violence? Also, consider that carnival games are geared to a younger generation.
Games, toys, dolls and toys
Make your way to the second room (8 and 9/12 of the room by room view). Click on the information circles throughout both rooms. Watch portions of each of the clips.
Consider the lingering and long-term impacts of the Dred Scott decision. How do the items you explored in these rooms help contribute to passing down race stereotypes and hate?
Segregation
Make your way to the second room (6/12 of the room by room view). You will need to turn yourself around and look past the noose to see the Segregation wall. Click on the information circles about segregation, including the red one titled “Everyday Segregation”.
What was life for African American in the south like, in terms of segregation?
In what ways did the entertainment outlets, carnival games, violence, etc play a role in making southern whites feel the need to segregate? How might it seem impossible for the two races to live together in one society?
Answer the prompt: What was the greatest challenge confronting the nation in the progress toward freedom and equality for all during and after Reconstruction?
