UCLA History-Geography Project

This week, we're excited to recommend Freedom Was in Sight: A Graphic History of Reconstruction in the Washington, D.C., Region as an engaging and accessible classroom resource. Check out this resource and meet the author at our event tomorrow!

Historian Kate Masur, & illustrator Liz Clarke bring to life the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans who, after the Civil War, worked to reunite families, build schools and communities, and claim long-denied rights. The book highlights both well-known figures like Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells, as well as everyday heroes such as Emma Brown, the first African American teacher in Washington’s public schools, and William Calvin Chase, editor of the Washington Bee.

Its vivid visuals and human-centered storytelling make the complexities of Reconstruction compelling and understandable, helping students see how the promises and challenges of this era continue to shape our nation today.

The story told in Freedom Was in Sight is especially relevant for students because it connects past struggles for freedom, equality, and education to the issues young people continue to face in their own communities.

By exploring the courage and determination of people who refused to accept second-class citizenship, students can understand that democracy is not fixed or guaranteed, but something that must be built and defended through collective action. These stories inspire students to reflect on their own power to create a more just and inclusive society.

Graphic novels like this one are a powerful tool for teaching history because they combine visuals and text to make complex events and ideas more accessible and engaging. They allow students to connect with historical figures and experiences on a personal level, bringing emotions, struggles, and triumphs to life in ways traditional texts sometimes cannot.

Using graphic novels in the classroom supports diverse learning styles, encourages critical thinking about both words and images, and helps make history feel immediate, relevant, and meaningful for students today.

Resource: https://uncpress.org/9781469680187/freedom-was-in-sight/
Register for our event with the author: https://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/event/reconstruction-with-kate-masur/

Present day issues such as birthright citizenship, voting rights, equality, and racial justice all have deep roots in the Reconstruction era, when Americans struggled to define the meaning of freedom and belonging after the Civil War. The debates from that time continue to shape our laws, institutions, and national identity today. As students grapple with questions about their rights and the future of democracy, understanding this history is more urgent than ever.

Join us on October 16th on zoom for a special PD session with historian Dr. Kate Masur, who will guide educators in unpacking the legacy of Reconstruction and offer new strategies for teaching this pivotal period in ways that connect directly to the concerns of our students and communities.

Registration: https://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/event/reconstruction-with-kate-masur/

Check out Mapping Deportations and join us on October 6th! Links here: linktr.ee/uclahgp

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New Resource for Educators:

Mapping Deportations
Unmasking the history of Racism in U.S. Immigration Enforcement

Discover and explore the powerful new website Mapping Deportations, an interactive multimedia resource that brings to life the history of U.S. immigration enforcement.

Mapping Deportations was developed by the Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP) at the UCLA School of Law and Million Dollar Hoods, with partner organization the National Immigration Project.

Rather than treating deportations as isolated events, this site uses data to reveal a centuries-long pattern in which U.S. laws and policies have consistently favored Europeans and their descendants while targeting non-white migrants for exclusion, removal, and punishment.

On October 6, K–12 educators will have a unique opportunity to explore this resource with Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández, one of the project’s lead scholars. We will share insights on the site and highlight ways to bring more critical and inclusive approaches to immigration history into the classroom.

Explore this resource and more at:
Immigration Past and Present
Professional Development for Educators

Featuring: Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández

October 6th 4:15-6:15pm on Zoom

Registration: bit.ly/41PfqwV

This Latine Heritage Month, we are thrilled to invite you to a special educator workshop: Immigration Past and Present, featuring a keynote talk by renowned historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández.

Immigration remains one of the most urgent issues in our city, our schools, and our nation. Students are asking critical questions and seeking deeper understanding of the policies that continue to shape our lives. Join us as Dr. Lytle Hernández leads us through a powerful exploration of immigration history and its ongoing impact today.

In this workshop Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández explores how U.S. immigration policies, shaped by laws, court rulings, and border enforcement, have developed over time and continue to influence contemporary practices such as immigration enforcement, deportations, and detention.

Geared for educators, her talk offers both a clear historical lens and classroom-ready framing to help students connect current controversies to their deep roots in U.S. history, highlighting the enduring continuity and change in immigration control.

Click here to register for this event and to learn more about our Connecting Past to Present Fall PD series!

https://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/event/immigration-past-and-present-with-dr-kelly-lytle-hernandez/