The Underground Railroad Lesson Plan

How would you describe Ridgeway’s ideology?

Some students may indicate that Ridgeway’s ideology is white supremacy. They may also use words like “racist,” “prejudiced,” “discriminatory,” or “bigoted.” Some students may also note that Ridgeway’s ideology is violent and dangerous. Ridgeway has ideas about the way the world should work, and these ideas hinge on white people being in positions of power over non-white people. For Ridgeway, his ideology does not feel like it is about a visceral hate but rather an idea about a social order that relies on violence and oppression.

Why do you think Whitehead decided to dedicate chapters to Ridgeway’s and Stevens’s lives?