Passing Lesson Plan

Discussion: Rachel Dolezal

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

To discuss the interesting case of Rachel Dolezal in relation to the novel

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1

Structure:

Show the following video to the class to remind them of the Rachel Dolezal scandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DRemX3ZxZk.

Ask students what they remember, if anything of this scandal. What were their thoughts about it at the time? What are some thoughts they have now? How is Dolezal’s passing for black different from Clare’s and Irene’s passing for white? (Clare and Irene pass for white in order to escape racism and gain benefits of a higher status...