Who is American? - Lesson

Video and discussion lesson.
There are a few ways to complete this lesson, however, it is best to ask students questions and let them drive the conversation. Objective: To get students to reflect on their own stereotypes. Note: I use this lesson on the first day of school when teaching US History.
This video has been edited, one word removed..

1. Watch: Honorable Journey

  • Play, "Honorable Journey"
  • Pause the video at :58 seconds
  • Ask the students what the narrator is talking about.
  • Ask the students what they think the narrator looks like? What evidence draws them to their conclusions? [Let them have their own conclusion then continue watching.]
  • Pause the video again after the narrator is introduced. Discuss their reactions.
  • If you choose to continue watching the rest of the video: Point out the relationship between the Hawaiian and the Mainland Japanese Americans.
  • You may also want to point out the importance of learning history (from different perspectives). It took 30 years for vindication for refusing to fight.

2. Watch: "What Kind of Asian Are you?"

  • Who is more offended the man or woman? Why? Explain.
  • Who do you think this situation happens to more often? Why?
  • Allow students to discuss and reflect.
This is just a link to the video until it can be updated on this website.

3. Read: "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America"

  • Read the story from Chapter 1 (pages 1-3) of "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America" by Ronald Takaki
    • He tells a story about his experience with Asian stereotypes in America.
  • Note: This can be before watching "What Kind of Asian Are You?"

4. Watch: "The Colbert Report" 1/23/2014

  • Note: This is an optional clip. The lesson can still be effective without this class.
  • If desired, this is a great clip to talk about media literacy, copy right, and stereotyping.
  • Watch: The opening sequence then SKIP TO  10:38 watch to 14:40 (MUTE: 13:00-13:03), SKIP TO 11:40-11:48
  • Discuss the stereotypes and any of the other issues brought up in this clip.

5. Watch: "America the Beautiful - Coke Commercial"

  • Ask students to discuss what they think about it.
  • Does this reflect America? Why or why not?

6. Watch: "Bridge of Spies" - "The Rule Book"

  • Note: The link above is not edited.
  • Have students discuss this and why we study US History and what it means to be American.
  • Discuss the multicultural history of America, it is not just the European perspective.