After reading several posts, I have noticed that many participants have said something about not learning about these things in history class. I have read a book that I think prepared me for the facts presented in the videos. The book is called Lies My Teacher Told Me. The author, James W. Loewen, is a history professor who evaluated high school American history textbooks. The book Lies My Teacher Told Me fills in a lot of gaps in American history that are not covered well in high school textbooks. The chapter on racism in America was eye-opening; it was also interesting to me how much racism came up in other chapters about different topics. I think the book had twelve chapters on different topics in American history, but the topics that really stuck with me were racism and the Vietnam War.
I do not usually enjoy reading nonfiction, but this book held my attention. I often recommend it.
Thank you for sharing Kristin! Part of what I am doing to become a better ally to the BIPOC communities is to educate myself. This book recommendation has been added to my reading list.