11 Sep Read: ” How to Be the Black Employee” by Baratunde Thurston Download How to Be the Black Employee” by Baratunde Thurston

1. What are the two jobs that The Black Employee is hired to do? Detail specific examples of the duties of Job #2.

2. How does Thurston parody the conventions of business self-help and motivational books? How does he imitate this genre?

3. How does Thurston use comedy effectively to address the sensitive subject matter of race in America? What does comedy allow him to do that a formal criticism could not achieve?

3. Watch: How to Deconstruct Racism One Headline at a Time: Thurston BaratundeLinks to an external site.

4. Respond to the following in 250+ words: (4 Points)

1. What did you think about the TEDTalk? Be specific when articulating why you feel this way.

2. How do the texts and reading impact your thinking of the current political climate?

Discussion 6 – Blue vs Black Lives Matter

General Guidelines

It is very important that you complete your initial post at least a couple of days before the discussion deadline to allow others the opportunity to respond to your post and vice-versa.

Care should be taken when determining what to post. Be considerate of and kind to each other when discussing difficult topics. You may disagree with a peer but it must be tactful and related directly to the content. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Review the syllabus sections on Discussions and Grading for detailed information.

Instructions

1. Read: “Blue Lives Matter versus Black Lives Matter: Beneficial Social Policies as the Pathway Away from Punitive Rhetoric and Harm” by Christopher E. Smith

Actions

2. Complete a 500+ word reflection using the following guiding questions: (7 Points)

1. What is your response to the article overall?

2. What parts do you agree with? Why?

3. What do you disagree with? Why?

4. How has this article influenced your viewpoint toward these movements?

Discussion 7 – Confronting History

General Guidelines

It is very important that you complete your initial post at least a couple of days before the discussion deadline to allow others the opportunity to respond to your post and vice-versa.

Care should be taken when determining what to post. Be considerate of and kind to each other when discussing difficult topics. You may disagree with a peer but it must be tactful and related directly to the content. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Review the syllabus sections on Discussions and Grading for detailed information.

Instructions

1. Watch the following videos:

1. Hasan Kwame Jeffries: Why we must confront the painful parts of US historyLinks to an external site.

2. Paul Rucker: The symbols of systematic racism — and how to take away their powerLinks to an external site.

3. How Can We Win? Kimberly Jones Full VideoLinks to an external site.

2. Write a 250+ response to the videos based on the following questions: (7 Points)

1. Which video had the biggest impact on you as a viewer? Why?

2. Did any videos address a new perspective, topic or additional aspect that expanded your knowledge of history? If so, which one(s) & how so?