Teaching Hard History

Teaching Hard History

Learning for Justice

Episodes 70
Avg. Duration 1h 3m
Activity Moderate
Apple Rating 4.7 (622)
Since Jun 2018
Latest Episode Apr 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
63%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

S1E12 Confronting Hard History at Montpelier

Apr 20, 2026 1h 15m

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…

S1E11 Slavery in the Supreme Court

Feb 23, 2026 55m

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…

S1E10 Slavery in the Constitution

Nov 04, 2025 40m

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…

S1E9 Ten More … Film and the History of Slavery

Oct 08, 2025 21m Bonus

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…

S1E8 Film and the History of Slavery

Sep 17, 2025 46m

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…

S1E7 Diverse Experience of the Enslaved

Sep 02, 2025 35m

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…

S1E6 Resistance Means More Than Rebellion

Aug 14, 2025 1h 7m

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…

S1E5 In the Footsteps of Others: Process Drama

Jul 31, 2025 43m

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…

S1E4 Doing the Work of Teaching Hard History

Jul 22, 2025 43m

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…

S1E3 Slavery and the Northern Economy

Jul 10, 2025 33m

When we think of slavery as a strictly Southern institution, we perpetuate a "dangerous fiction," according to historian Christy Clark-Pujara. Avoid the trap with this episode about the role the…

S1E2 Slavery and the Civil War, Part 2

Jun 26, 2025 29m

Salem State University professor Bethany Jay returns to examine how the actions of free and enslaved African Americans shaped the progress of the Civil War and contributed to emancipation. Join host…

S1E1 Slavery and the Civil War, Part 1

Jun 19, 2025 32m

What really caused the Civil War? In this episode, Salem State University Professor Bethany Jay examines the complex role that slavery played in causing the Civil War and outlines ways to teach this…

S4E16 Why Hard History Matters: Addressing the Legacy of Jim Crow – w/ Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

May 25, 2022 1h 19m

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries represents New York's 8th congressional district. Our final episode this season takes us to the U.S. House of Representatives for a conversation between Rep. Jeffries and…

S4E15 Criminalizing Blackness: Prisons, Police and Jim Crow – w/ Robert T. Chase and Brandon T. Jett

May 16, 2022 1h 49m

After emancipation, aspects of the legal system were reshaped to maintain control of Black lives and labor. Historian Robert T. Chase outlines the evolution of convict leasing in the prison system.…

S4 Music Reconstructed: Lara Downes' Classical Perspective on Jim Crow – w/ Charles L. Hughes

Apr 26, 2022 24m Bonus

From concertos to operas, Black composers captured the changes and challenges facing African Americans during Jim Crow. Renowned classical pianist Laura Downes is bringing new appreciation to the…

S4 Music Reconstructed: Adia Victoria and the Landscape of the Blues – w/ Charles L. Hughes

Apr 12, 2022 16m Bonus

When we consider the trauma of white supremacy during the Jim Crow era—what writer Ralph Ellison describes as "the brutal experience"—it's important to understand the resilience and joy that…

S4E14 Black Political Thought – w/ Minkah Makalani

Apr 08, 2022 1h 5m

Black political ideologies in the early 20th century evolved against a backdrop of derogatory stereotypes and racial terrorism. Starting with Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Agency,…

S4 Music Reconstructed: Dom Flemons, Black Cowboys and the American West – w/ Charles L. Hughes

Mar 18, 2022 18m Bonus

From ranches to railroads, learn about the often unrecognized role that African Americans played in the range cattle industry, as Pullman porters and in law enforcement. In part two of this special…

S4E13 Medical Racism: A Legacy of Malpractice – w/ Deirdre Cooper Owens

Mar 17, 2022 40m

This nation has a long history of exploiting Black Americans in the name of medicine. A practice which began with the Founding Fathers using individual enslaved persons for gruesome experimentation…

S4 Music Reconstructed: Jason Moran, Jazz and the Harlem Hellfighters – w/ Charles L. Hughes

Feb 23, 2022 22m Bonus

This is a special four-part series where historian Charles L. Hughes introduces us to musicians who are exploring the sounds, songs and stories of the Jim Crow era. In this installment, Jazz pianist…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Teaching Hard History have?

Teaching Hard History has published 70 episodes since June 2018, covering topics in Courses, Education.

Is Teaching Hard History still active?

Teaching Hard History is currently moderate with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 3m.

How do I contact Teaching Hard History for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Teaching Hard History, including email and social media links.

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