On Friday March 17th. CLIMB Theatre presented Feeling History: African Americans’ Reach for Equality to our 7th grade social studies classes (and one section of Ms. Krawetz's 6th-graders). In this 1 hour 25 minute theatrical history experience, students embarked on a guided journey from slavery to today. Historical events highlighted include the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction, the Dred Scott Decision, the 13th Amendment, convict leasing, Jim Crow laws, Brown vs. Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Actors used scenes, monologues, slides, music, and interaction to help students intellectually and emotionally understand individual and institutional racism in a way that may well move them closer to each other and someday, perhaps, even to actions that will help end racism. Be sure to ask your child questions about the class:

●     Tell me about the CLIMB Theatre performance you saw.

●     What did you like about it?

●     What did you learn from it?

●     What is the differences between individual and institutional racism?

●     What is a “rationalization” and what does it have to do with slavery?

●     What happened during the Civil Rights Movement?

●     Do you see racism in your school or our community today?

●     What do you think needs to happen to end racism?