New
New
Year 11
AQA

Racial prejudice and discrimination

I can explain Christian and other responses to issues surrounding racism.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Racial prejudice and discrimination

I can explain Christian and other responses to issues surrounding racism.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Christianity has been linked to slavery, colonialism and racial segregation.
  2. Today, many Christians interpret the Bible as teaching equality and encouraging action against racism.
  3. Martin Luther King Jr based his fight against racism on his Christian beliefs.
  4. Some Christians see anti-racism as part of living out their faith, while others focus on personal prayer and reflection.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Racial prejudice and discrimination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Racism can be individual or , continuing even with legal protections.
Correct Answer: systemic, Systemic
Q2.
What is white privilege?
a law about white people
racism against white people
Correct answer: unearned advantages white people have in society
Q3.
The Bus Boycott helped end racist hiring practices in the UK in the 1960s.
Correct Answer: Bristol, bristol
Q4.
What does a human rights approach to racism focus on?
religious freedom only
Correct answer: protecting all people equally
avoiding the topic
Q5.
One debate in anti-racism is whether racist should be banned to protect others.
Correct Answer: speech, Speech

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
In history, how has Christianity been linked to racial injustice?
by ending slavery worldwide
Correct answer: through some Christians supporting slavery and segregation
by always opposing colonialism
Q2.
Many Christians believe the Bible teaches and supports action against racism.
Correct Answer: equality, Equality
Q3.
Martin Luther King Jr. used Christian beliefs to ...
promote racism
Correct answer: unite people against racism
divide people by religion
Q4.
Anti-racism is not just belief, it requires ...
Correct Answer: action, Action
Q5.
What’s one reason not all Christians join public anti-racism protests?
They support racism.
They don’t know the Bible.
Correct answer: They focus on personal faith practices.

Additional material

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