Racial prejudice and discrimination
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Christian and other responses to issues surrounding racism.
Key learning points
- Christianity has been linked to slavery, colonialism and racial segregation.
- Today, many Christians interpret the Bible as teaching equality and encouraging action against racism.
- Martin Luther King Jr based his fight against racism on his Christian beliefs.
- Some Christians see anti-racism as part of living out their faith, while others focus on personal prayer and reflection.
- Non-religious people respond in different ways, with some supporting protests and others taking a cautious approach.
Keywords
Anti-racism - actively challenging racism by speaking out, taking action and working for racial equality
Black Lives Matter - a movement that campaigns against racism and violence towards Black people and calls for justice and equality
Protest - a statement or action to express disagreement; can be an organised event to demonstrate disagreement with a policy or political action
Common misconception
Being anti-racist just means not being racist.
Anti-racism means more than just avoiding racist behaviour. It involves actively challenging racism, speaking out against unfair treatment and working to create a more equal society. It’s about action, not just belief.
Teacher tip
You could use video clips to illustrate anti-racist campaigns such as Martin Luther King Jr's speeches and protests or Black Lives Matter protests.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Racism can be individual or , continuing even with legal protections.
Q2.What is white privilege?
Q3.The Bus Boycott helped end racist hiring practices in the UK in the 1960s.
Q4.What does a human rights approach to racism focus on?
Q5.One debate in anti-racism is whether racist should be banned to protect others.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.In history, how has Christianity been linked to racial injustice?
Q2.Many Christians believe the Bible teaches and supports action against racism.
Q3.Martin Luther King Jr. used Christian beliefs to ...
Q4.Anti-racism is not just belief, it requires ...
Q5.What’s one reason not all Christians join public anti-racism protests?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Racial prejudice and discrimination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Racial prejudice and discrimination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion, human rights and social justice unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.