ABC News, “Violence in U.S. Schools.” Internet: US Daily News 7/25/00
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/Schoolshootings990420.html
Engaging documentation of all of the shootings that have occurred in schools across the United States since 1972. It brings to the forefront, the severity of guns in the hands of minors.
Advocate-New Haven, “Sly Cops.” November 20, 1997: Hit & Run section
Wysiwyg://45/http:www.newmassmedia.com/nac.phtml?code=new&db=nac_fea&ref=5423
In the aftermath of the shooting of Malik Jones, East Haven’s police decide to take a less than orthodox approach to show their support for officer Robert Flodquist, who shot and killed Malik, after a traffic violation. The NAACP deemed the action offensive.
American Civil Liberties Union, Kansas Court to Hear ACLU Case of Honor Student Expelled for Displaying Artwork, Internet-Freedom Network: ACLU Press, 01-28-00
http://www.aclu.org/news/2000/n012800a.html
This documents the story of plight of Sarah Bowman, age 17, to return to school. Her artwork was deemed “threatening.” She was expelled from school in Wichita, Kansas. A copy of her work is also included and can be downloaded.
Aten, Jerry, Our Living Constitution, Then and Now. Illinois: Good Apple Inc. 1987.
This is a book for teachers. It discusses the Constitution in clear terms, and has sheets ready for photocopying, to be used with lessons and discussions. Use with 5-12 graders.
Bennett Jr., Lerone, Before the Mayflower. New York: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., 1978.
Packed with African American history covering 1619-1964; very comprehensive. This is a wonderful teacher or student resource. Use with 8-12 grades.
Brock, Robert Dr., Slave Clauses in the Constitution of the United States. readocbellsouth.net Thurs, 30 March, 2000 12:25:41
Sorts through the Constitution highlighting the clauses that specifically helped maintain the enslavement of displaced African people.
Clarke, John Henrik, Christopher Columbus &the Afrikan Holocaust. New York: A&B Books, 1992.
A book documenting the real significance of the Christopher Columbus encounter in the Americas. Startling facts about who Columbus was, what he did, and what he left behind.
Cliff, Virgil A. and Low, W. Augustus, Encyclopedia of Black America , New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1981
A comprehensive book of Black History.
Daily News (New York). “Cops Trampling Families & Rights.” November 19, 1998: p.18.
Excellent short article for discussions around 4th Amendment rights, to be used with students in grades 7-12.
Daily News (New York). “The New ‘Profile’ of Police Excess.” October 2, 1997: p.43.
Op-Ed page reports on the growing phenomenon of profiling individuals based on race.
Emerge, “Time For Juveniles.” March, 2000: 28-31.
This is a great discussion raiser with issues pertaining to Amendments 1, 4, 6, and 8. The article (4 pages long) looks at the racial and economic disparities in juvenile sentencing. Grades 7-12
Emerge, “Grown Up Justice: Nathaniel Abraham’s prosecution as an Adult.” March, 2000: pp. 32-39.
Story surrounding the trial and conviction of Nathaniel Abraham, age 14. At 11 years of age, he was charged, and this year found guilty, for a murder many feel he did not commit. The article makes you think about a criminal justice system that treats minors like adults. Great for discussion grades 7-12.
Emerge, “Traffic Violation: Racial Profiling is a Reality for Black Drivers.” June, 1999: pp. 42-48.
Racial profiling is a reality. This article tackles the subject of DWB (driving while Black). It deals specifically with the disregard of 4th Amendment privacy rights of persons of color. Grades 7-12
Emerge, “40 Acres and a Mule.” February, 1997: pp. 43-49.
Article deals with arguments supporting reparations for African American people in the United States.
Essence, “Our Sons Under Siege,” November, 1999, pp. 139-215.
An article that deals with police, seemly hunting and killing African American males with impunity. It highlights the deaths of four African American males (Archie Elliott-25, Marc Fitzsimmons-29, Jonny Gammage-31, and Malik Jones-22) at the hands of white police officers.
Internet-Unknown, Edward Prigg,Plaintiff in error, v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2000: http://vi.uh.edu/pages/alhmat/prigg.html
This is an entire narrative about this landmark case involving a Black woman, Margaret Morgan, an escaped enslaved African from Maryland, whose children were born in Pennsylvania. She was recaptured and returned to Maryland. The Federal Supreme Court rendered its verdict to return her. This case deals with the constitutional status of slavery in the antebellum era
Jet, “Emmett Till’s Mother Remembers Her Son on His 50th Birthday.” August 12, 1991: pp. 4-15.
Documents the 1955 kidnapping and lynching of 14 year old Emmett Till, for allegedly whistling at a white woman. The article also highlights the circus like proceedings in the court case and contains photos of Emmett Till’s brutalized dead body. Grades 7-12
Robinson, Randall, The Debt. New York: Dutton Book, 2000.
Mr. Robinson presents a compelling case why descendents of enslaved Africans should receive and apology and reparations from the US government. Grades 10-Up
State of Connecticut, “Strategic School Profiles,” Hartford, CT: 1998-1999
http://www.state.ct.us/Sde/ssp/dist9899/dist060.pdf
Give statistical information on all school systems throughout the state of Connecticut.
The Final Call, “Fighting for Survival,” February 11, 1997: p4.
Black farmers fight for their rights for equal treatment by the USDA.
The Final Call, “Suicide or Revenge Lynching?” February 11, 1997: p2.
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This article gives the circumstances that lead up to the death of 20-year-old-Antwan Sedgwick.
The New Haven Advocate, “Run & Hyde.” April 25, 1996: p. 7.
As Hyde Leadership School (part of the New Haven Public School system) attempted to merge into its predominately white surroundings in Hamden, CT in 1996, students received their share of harassment from the Hamden police. This article deals with the flagrant violation of privacy rights of African American students, running in that neighborhood, as part of their school supervised track team regiment. Grades 7-12
The New York Times: Upfront, “ The Clamp Down on Teen Rights.” September 6, 1999: pp. 10-14.
This article deals with the violation of 1st and 4th Amendment violations of students’ rights, in the aftermath of a number of shootings inside schools across America.
Grades 7-12
The Village Voice, “ Setting Fire to Offensive Ideas,” September 30, 1997: p. 23.
This article illuminates what the author feels are exceptions being made regarding first Amendment rights on some college campus.
Time. “Righteous Wrath Down on the Farm,” January 25, 1999: p.8
One Black family continues to fight for fairness and equity from the United States government.
Time. “The End of Integration.” April 29, 1996: 39-46.
After forty years, the United States is still grappling with the issue of equity, access and race in education. Have we gone back to separate and unequal?
Wright, Bruce, Black Robes, White Justice. New York: Lyle Stuart Book, 1987.
Former judge Bruce Wright shares with readers his observations about the justice system primarily in New York. He points out that race places a factor in how justice is disseminated in the courts. He stressed the need for training for judges. Grade 10-Up
XXL, “Search and Seizure,” August 1999, 46.
This article talks about the question of DWB. In addition, it gives the reader some tips on what to do if you are ever stopped by the police. Grade 10- up
Bibliography for Students
Dennis, Denise, Black History For Beginners. New York: Writers and Readers Publishing, 1995.
This is a pictorial African American history book. It contains a lot of information and is very user friendly. Young people will read it very easily. Grades 5-12
Horne, Gerald, Powell v. Alabama: The Scottsboro Boys and American Justice. New York: Franklin Watts Inc. 1997.
An historical account of the 1931 court case involving nine (ranging in ages from 12-20) African American males falsely accused of raping two white women on a freight train. The courts had no evidence and the women later recanted, these young men served between 6-10 years in jail. Grades 6-12
Kelso, Richard, Days of Courage. New York: Steck-Vaughn Company, 1993
A euphemistic portrayal of the nine African American students, who were the first to integrate white high schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Grades 5-12
Kelso, Richard, Walking For Freedom: The Montgomery Bus Boycott. New York: Steck-Vaughn Company, 1993
This book is an account of the 1954 Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. On November 13, 1956, The Supreme Court said that the Montgomery bus-segregation was illegal.
Leinwand, Gerald, Do We Need a New Constitution. New York: Franklin Watts, 1994
This book poses the question, is our Constitution, written in 1787, applicable in our technological world/ should we scrap the old one and draft a new one? This book can be used as a catalysis for group discussions on the Constitution. Grades 6-12
Lusane, Clarence, The Struggle for Equal Education. New York: Franklin Watts, Inc. 1992.
A chronicle of the plight of African American people to secure equal access to education in the United States. It starts its account in the 1600’s and brings its readers into the 1990’s. There are landmark court decisions and tips for young people to take more advantage of the educational systems currently in place. Grades 6-12
Walker, Richard, A Right to Die? New York: Franklin Watts Inc, 1996
Idea for use with or by young people. This book grapples with issues such as life support, euthanasia, dying with dignity, and who should have a right in deciding when life should be terminated. This book presents varying viewpoints on these privacy issues. Grades 5-12
