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Teaching Hard History

From Learning for Justice and host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., Teaching Hard History brings us the crucial history we should have learned through the voices of leading scholars and educators. The series, which includes four seasons that originally aired from 2018 to 2022, begins with the long and brutal legacy of slavery and reaches through the victories of and violent responses to the Civil Rights Movement and Black Americans’ experiences during the Jim Crow era to the issues we face today.

Join us as we relaunch this podcast series, highlighting an episode each week and including a new resource page with key points from the conversation, resources and connections for building learning experiences.

Copyright: © 2018 Learning for Justice, Southern Poverty Law Center 757176

Latest Episodes:

Slavery Today Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

After the Civil War and emancipation, slavery evolved into other exploitive economic and legal systems, the legacy of which can still be seen today. Historian James Brewer Stewart discusses how modern slavery operates around the world and across the United States, connecting the past to the present. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). This episode originally aired in June 2018. Visit the new resource page for this episode (2026), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Confronting Hard History at Montpelier Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

At James Madison's Montpelier, an exhibit models how to explore American slavery at a historic site through the commitment to accuracy and truth about slavery and engagement with the descendants of the enslaved community. Christian Cotz, Price Thomas and Patrice Preston Grimes explain how that happened and why it is important. This episode originally aired in May 2018.

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2026), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Slavery in the Supreme Court Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Building on the discussion of "Slavery in the Constitution," historian Paul Finkelman examines the connections among the Constitution, the Supreme Court, politics and slavery. This episode offers insights into the ideologies and tensions that shaped the United States, led to the Civil War and continue to affect our nation today.

Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Apr. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Slavery in the Constitution Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Constitutional and legal historian Paul Finkelman explains the critical role slavery played in the founding of the United States and how the politics of slavery shaped the U.S. Constitution in ways that are still evident today. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Apr. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Ten More … Film and the History of Slavery Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Film historian Ron Briley returns with more suggestions for teaching through film — from thought-provoking documentaries and feature films to miniseries. Spanning productions from the works of Ken Burns to the blockbuster Black Panther, this episode offers essential background information and practical strategies. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in April 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Film and the History of Slavery Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Film has long shaped our nation's historical memory — for good and bad. Film historian Ron Briley offers ways to responsibly use films in the classroom to more accurately frame the narrative of American slavery and Reconstruction. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Diverse Experience of the Enslaved Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

The experiences of enslaved people varied greatly based on a variety of factors, including time, location, crop, labor performed, size of slaveholding and gender. Yet, most students leave school thinking enslaved people lived like the biased representation in Gone With the Wind. Deirdre Cooper Owens, Ph.D., discusses how the lived experience of slavery varied and evolved. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Mar. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Resistance Means More Than Rebellion Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

For a more complete picture of enslaved people's experiences, we need to expand our understanding of resistance. Kenneth S. Greenberg, Ph.D., examines the numerous ways enslaved African Americans incorporated resistance into every aspect of their lives, offering a lens to help students see how enslaved people fought back against the brutality of slavery. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Mar. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

In the Footsteps of Others: Process Drama Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

In learning about slavery, students often ask, "Why didn't enslaved people run away or revolt?" Lindsay Anne Randall explains "process drama" — a method to help build empathy and understand the risks and complexities that enslaved individuals faced. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Feb. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas and teaching recommendations from the conversation, updated resources, and a complete transcript.

Doing the Work of Teaching Hard History Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In many ways, the U.S. has fallen short of its ideals. How can we explain this to students — particularly in the context of discussing slavery? Salem State University professor Steven Thurston Oliver shares practical strategies for teaching hard history and creating supportive classroom environments in which relationships are strong enough to be able to hold challenging conversations. Join host Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D., and Learning for Justice, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). (This episode originally aired in Jan. 2018.)

Visit the new resource page for this episode (2025), which includes essential ideas from the conversation, teaching recommendations and updated resources. A complete transcript is also included.

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