by Dr. Tracy Castro-Gill, WAESN Co-founder and Executive Director
The way history is taught has long centered the stories of White men, leaving the legacies of women and people of color in the shadows. The Heroes of Color lesson is here to flip that script, and WAESN is offering it as a free resource. This middle school lesson invites students to challenge the dominant narratives they’ve been taught and replace them with powerful counternarratives of resistance and liberation.
This isn’t just about history—it’s about justice. It’s about reclaiming the stories of those who’ve fought against systemic oppression, especially the youth and women of color who often go unrecognized.
Why We Need This Lesson
Part of the broader unit From Mesopotamia to Minneapolis: Examining the Rule of Law (in development), this lesson digs into the roots of systemic racial oppression and the counternarratives that disrupt it. Students are encouraged to think critically about whose stories get told and why. It’s an opportunity to connect the past to the present and imagine a future where these histories are foundational—not sidelined.
What Students Will Learn
At its core, this lesson is about liberation. It’s about amplifying the voices of those who’ve been silenced and helping students understand that history is not just something to be memorized—it’s something to be questioned.
Students will:
- Examine the roles of women and youth of color in resisting systemic oppression.
- Learn how dominant narratives erase critical histories and why counternarratives are essential.
- Engage in meaningful dialogue about race, power, and justice.
How the Lesson Works
Start With What They Know
The lesson kicks off with an activity that gets students thinking about whose names come to mind when they think of American heroes. They’ll likely list the usual suspects—White men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Then, we look at why that’s the case.
Using real-world examples, like a Google search for “American heroes,” students will see the erasure in action. They’ll discuss how systemic oppression shapes even the stories we celebrate, setting the stage for learning about the heroes who’ve been left out.
Dive Into the Stories
Students will choose from texts about Asian American, Black, Latinx, and Native American heroes. These aren’t the sanitized, palatable versions of history—they’re stories of real people who stood up to injustice in a system designed to silence them.
Through annotation and a graphic organizer, students will prepare to share these stories with their classmates. This is about more than just learning facts; it’s about connecting with the courage and resistance of these heroes.
Bring the Block Party Vibes
The highlight of the lesson is the Heroes of Color Block Party. Think of it as a history lesson meets community gathering. With optional snacks, decorations, and music, students circulate the room, sharing what they’ve learned and learning from their peers. It’s a celebration of these heroes and a powerful reminder that history belongs to all of us.
Reflect and Reclaim
The lesson ends with a reflection where students piece together what they’ve learned and confront the bigger questions:
- Why are these stories missing from the history books?
- How can we make sure they’re never forgotten again?
This isn’t just an exit ticket—it’s a call to action.
Aligning With Justice
This lesson meets state and national social studies standards, but more importantly, it aligns with the fight for justice. It centers Ethnic Studies principles by teaching students to question the systems of power that decide whose stories matter.
Why This Matters
This lesson isn’t about adding a few names to a list of heroes—it’s about shifting the way students see the world. It’s about showing them that history is alive, that it’s political, and that it can be reclaimed.
The stories of heroes of color are stories of survival, resistance, and liberation. They are the stories students need to hear—not just because they’ve been erased, but because they offer a roadmap for how to fight injustice today.
Ready to Teach It?
If you’re ready to transform your classroom into a space where justice and truth are centered, start planning your Heroes of Color Block Party. Let’s rewrite history together.