An opportunity to discuss in class about the concept of tolerance in relation to the black race.

1. February: Black History Month Information and video for advanced EFL lessons

2. What is tolerance? Toleration and tolerance are terms used in social, cultural and religious contexts to describe attitudes which are "tolerant" (or moderately respectful) of practices or group memberships that may be disapproved of by those in the majority. In practice, "tolerance" indicates support for practices that prohibit ethnic and religious discrimination. Conversely, 'intolerance' may be used to refer to the discriminatory practices sought to be prohibited. A Wikipedia definition

3. February& Black History Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States (US) and Canada in February and the United Kingdom in the month of October. The remembrance was founded in 1926 by United States historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week".[1] Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slaveFrederick Douglass. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

4. Black History Facts When the tradition of Black History Month had started in the US, many in mainstream academia had barely begun to explore black history. At that point, most representation of blacks in history books was only in reference to the low social position they held as slaves and their descendants. Before Great Britain made it illegal for the colonists to be involved in the slave trade, between 600,000 and 650,000 Africans were forcibly brought to America. They were transported across the Atlantic and sold into forced labor for the rest of their lives, leaving family and home behind.

5. More facts Slavery has existed throughout the world since ancient times. However, one big difference between slavery in many cultures and the slavery that was experienced in America was that while slaves in other cultures could gain freedom and become part of society, African-Americans did not have that luxury. Because almost all of the Africans on American soil were slaves, it was extremely hard for any black person who had gained freedom to be accepted into society. Even after slavery was abolished following the Civil War, black Americans had a difficult time of being accepted into society.

6. Civil Rights Movement The barriers facing African-Americans after the Civil War were numerous, especially in the South. Jim Crow Laws such as Literacy Tests and Grandfather Clauses kept them from voting in many southern states. Further, the Supreme Court ruled that separate was equal and therefore blacks could legally be forced to ride in separate rail cars and attend different schools than whites. It was impossible for blacks to achieve equality in this atmosphere, especially in the South. Eventually, the hardships that African-Americans faced became overwhelming and led to the Civil Rights Movement. Despite the efforts of individuals such as Martin Luther King, Jr., racism still exists today in America.

7. References You will find all previous information along with links to more facts, photos, videos and quizzes on these two pages: 712educators.about.com inventors.about.com

8. Resources Black History Month on Wikipedia 47 English & Social Studies Guides for Black History Month 2010 on Shmoop The Best Websites To Teach & Learn About African-American History (by Larry Ferlazzo) Quiz on Black History Month

9. Black or white This is a song that associates the concept of tolerance with the black race. Pay attention to the variety of places as well as people’s images presented in the video. ‘Black or White’ by Michael Jackson

10. What do these mean? I Said If You’re Thinkin’ Of Being My Brother It Don’t Matter If You’re Black Or White ‘I’m not going to spend my life being a color.’ It’s Black, It’s White It’s Tough For You To Get By It’s Black , It’s White