The Illusion of Inclusion: Lesson Plan

After the election of African American President Barack Obama in 2008, many commentators rejoiced that America had finally overcome its long history of racial discrimination. These commentators declared that America was now "post-racial" and that race was no longer a barrier to success.

But does race really no longer matter in American society? Has America actually become a "post-racial" society? These questions are important for understanding the state of race relations in the United States today and the outcome of historical developments in decades past. This lesson will use North Carolina State University's African American student newspaper, The Nubian Message, as a window into these important issues. Students will read articles from The Nubian Message, as well as secondary source literature, to determine for themselves if America has entered an era of "post-racial" relations.