The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt

Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
What Does It Mean To Celebrate MLK in 2022?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
User's avatar
Discover more from The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
A newsletter extending The Course: a study of the ideas, people and events that have shaped the African-American experience.
Already have an account? Sign in

What Does It Mean To Celebrate MLK in 2022?

Reconsidering an Icon in the Face of Modern Challenges

Jon Fortt's avatar
Jon Fortt
Jan 12, 2022

Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
What Does It Mean To Celebrate MLK in 2022?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Share

Back in the summer of 2020, I set out to design a course that presents the Black Experience in America in a different light than usual. Instead of focusing mainly on slavery and civil rights, I wanted to focus on cultural identity, American ideals, and recurring themes and challenges that still resonate today.

But I also had to cover the Civil Rights Movement, of course. So I made the decision to do that in one lesson.

Ambitious, sure. I did it for two reasons: context and clarity. For context, I wanted to honor my original intent to show a breadth and depth of the Black experience beyond the well-trodden ideas. For clarity, I wanted to honor the approach where sometimes less is more.

If I had to present only 90 minutes worth of material on the Civil Rights Movement that would intrigue the audience and challenge them to explore the ideas more deeply, what would I offer?

Here it is. Lesson 15 has four parts, starting with part of the first episode of Eyes on the Prize (an additional $2.99 at Amazon Prime). It covers catalysts for the movement, including the murder of Emmett Till. The sections on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X use their actual speeches. Their contrasting approaches illuminate nuances of the struggle and prompt us to reconsider what elements of their messages remain relevant today.

As we celebrate King’s life and legacy this year, I invite you to embrace the complexity of the leader and the movement. Share the lesson with your family and/or community and discuss it together. And if you want more, you can continue your exploration during Black History Month and purchase a discounted ($16) bundle of four lessons:

Share


Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
What Does It Mean To Celebrate MLK in 2022?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Anti-Asian Bias and the Work to Do
My two favorite Korean-American (and African-American) boys, in Seoul, 2019.
Mar 22, 2021 â€¢ 
Jon Fortt
3

Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
Anti-Asian Bias and the Work to Do
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Race and the Truth Behind the Ugly Duckling
When I was growing up in Washington, D.C.
Aug 21, 2021 â€¢ 
Jon Fortt

Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
Race and the Truth Behind the Ugly Duckling
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Daunte Wright, George Floyd, and the Paradox of Fear in the Black Experience
Ida B.
Apr 26, 2021 â€¢ 
Jon Fortt

Share this post

The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
The Black Experience in America: The Course by Jon Fortt
Daunte Wright, George Floyd, and the Paradox of Fear in the Black Experience
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Ready for more?

© 2025 Jon Fortt
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Create your profile

User's avatar

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.