AP African American Studies [Assignment/Activity]- Topic 4.15: Economic Growth and Political Representation in the Black Community
Engage your students in a critical exploration of voting rights, voter suppression, and the ongoing fight for expanded political representation in the African American community. This four-page packet guides learners through an eight-step inquiry-based lesson, encouraging them to:
- Analyze -historical and modern examples of voter suppression.
- Investigate -their state’s voting laws and their impact on access to the ballot.
- Evaluate -the role of federal oversight, including the Voting Rights Act and the Shelby v. Holder decision.
- Examine -primary sources, including a video excerpt from Remembering John Lewis and a reading from Carol Anderson’s One Person, No Vote.
- Reflect -on key questions about equity, justice, and the future of voting rights.
With structured group or independent work, this resource fosters critical thinking about democracy, power, and the enduring struggle for political representation.
Duration: 2-3 Class Periods
Pages: 4 Pages
Format: Varies
Multimedia: 2 External Links (Video + Reading)
The Voting Rights Act (2 Page Summary)
*(this activity is an adaption from Teach This: The Voting Rights Act by Learning for Justice Staff: October 14, 2020*
