Chapter 1: Political Trauma

The lessons in Chapter 1 focus squarely on the theme of political trauma and the “feelings of fear and anxiety” (Sondel et al., 2018, p. 179) that many students experience as a result of specific political events. In response, Sondel and colleagues (2018) have articulated a pedagogy of political trauma based on supporting students’ affective expression, building knowledge among students, and cultivating student critical consciousness and resistance. Empirical studies in social studies classrooms support an understanding that relational pedagogies based on a classroom climate of trust are effective with both elementary (Payne & Journell, 2019) and secondary students (Yoder, 2020). The lessons in this chapter address four topics that reflect the pervasive nature of political trauma. Using the “Hollywood or History?” lesson approach, the authors provide insights into acknowledging the political trauma found within social studies curriculum through engaging such films as Eyes on the Prize (Hampton, 1987), Paris Is Burning (Livingston, 1990), American History X (Kaye, 1998), Selma (DuVernay, 2014), and Us (Peele, 2019). As social studies educators review these lessons with the goal of equipping students to “communicate while feeling difficult emotions,” the following four-step process may be helpful: restate, contemplate, breathe, and communicate (Learning for Justice, 2020, pp. 30-31).