We recommend starting the examination of all photographic collections with the Image Gallery Essay and lesson plan.

Here are some additional suggestions on how to use the images in this collection with your students.

1. Read the essay on Popular Culture and Jim Crow.
2. Show the class the images of African Americans from popular culture from this collection. Use the narrative information to introduce the images. Start a discussion with students, with some of the following points:
• Why do you think the artist or photographer created this picture? What was he or she trying to say?
• What is the message you receive about this picture?
• How do you think this image was used (for example, advertising, persuasion, informing people, etc.)?
• If these pictures were the only information you had about African Americans, what would you assume about them as a people?
• What ideas do you have about why these examples are collected and displayed? What is the purpose of showing how the media portrayed African Americans in the past?

After your discussion, ask students to research the way African Americans have been portrayed in movies and television since the 1890s. You may wish to go back to the "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and Oliver Scott's "Refined Negro Minstrels" before students begin their research. You can also show the scene with the crows in Dumbo, by Disney productions, in which the lead crow is even named, "Jim Crow."

Possible sources of information:
• Internet searches
• Library or resource center materials
• NAACP resources


3. Images of African Americans today Discuss with your students how African Americans are portrayed in today's media, the movies, TV, advertisements.
   • What changes have occurred in the representation of African Americans over time?
   • What stereotypes did you see in your research?
   • Did you find examples of non-biased portrayals?
   • What are the stereotypes in today's media concerning ethnic groups? African Americans, Asian, Hispanics?

These lesson activities were submitted by Laura Minnegerode, a teacher for Marin Day Schools in California.