History’s unsung hero: Examining Oscar Dunn and African American history through a graphical novel

Abstract

Social studies curriculum is at the center of heated debates in U. S. politics. Conservative politicians seek to limit what student are taught about the experiences of people of color who have been oppressed or subjected to racist policies and treatment throughout American history. Whitewashing history denies students the chance to examine history in its fullness as they are unable to analyze the voices and experiences of all people whose stories have contributed to the American story. In this article, the author explores how graphic novels may be used to teach African American history. Specifically, the author discusses how activities that utilize Monumental: Oscar Dunn and His Radical Fight in Reconstruction Louisiana (Mitchell et al., 2021) help students to examine and contextualize concepts such as democracy, freedom, and what it meant to different groups of people. Activities such as the ones discussed in the article support discipline literacy and foster empathy and students’ ability to understand how topics connected to race and social injustice continue to impact the present