The Foot Soldier of Birmingham: Can We Trust Ourselves?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revisionist_History_(podcast)

In this lesson we are using the podcast The Foot Soldier by Malcolm Gladwell to discuss inherent bias.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Birmingham_campaign_dogs.jpg

In this lesson we will look at the above picture and try to decode it. What are we seeing happen here? Then we will listen to the podcast by Malcolm Gladwell. Is what we believe to have happened what actually happened?

After the lesson you will need to answer these questions:

1. Can the art we create be used to influence belief systems? 
2. As we examine the story as well as look at the statue and the picture from which the statue comes, what can we learn about ourselves and how we react based upon what we have learned?
3. How will this change your view of historical artifacts as we move forward?

Essential Question: Does the Foot Soldier of Birmingham statue have historical value?

Engage:

• Birmingham Campaign Dogs Picture (10 minutes) Think-Pair-Share Activity
  1. What is happening in this picture? 
  2. When do you think this picture was taken?

Explore:

• Birmingham in Early 1963: The March (4:35)
• Podcast Revisionist History: The Footsoldier of Birmingham  (34:00)
• Transcript of the podcast.

Explain: 

• The statue is a misrepresentation of the facts. Does this matter as an art piece? 

Evaluate:

• Foot Soldier of Birmingham Worksheet
• T-Chart Should Art Be Based on Truth? Yes/No Explain