Trump’s Erasing Blackness — Let’s Act Together

Community Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives (3)

1. Recognize the role of civic holidays in shaping collective memory. Example: MLK Day as a ritual of recognition for civil rights.
2. Analyze historical figures’ legacies with nuance. Example: Theodore Roosevelt’s anti-lynching stance and his clash with Southern Democrats.
3. Connect past erasures to present civic action. Example: Juneteenth’s removal from fee-free days as symbolic denial of Black freedom.

Learning Outcomes (3)

1. Explain why erasure matters. Example: Participants articulate how removing MLK Day weakens public standards.
2. Identify complex legacies. Example: Participants describe Roosevelt’s support for Black officials and his unpopular stance in the South.
3. Commit to civic action. Example: Each participant drafts one step, such as calling officials or sharing a podcast episode.

Assessment (3)

1. Discussion Check: Share one historical fact and one civic implication. Example: “Roosevelt condemned lynching, but Juneteenth’s removal erases Black resilience.”
2. Reflection Prompt: Write a short paragraph on how erasure affects community identity. Example: “Without MLK Day, younger generations lose a ritual of remembrance.”
3. Action Commitment: State one concrete step to take. Example: “I will call my representative to demand restoration of Juneteenth.”

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