Podcasts and Videos: The Abolition Movement and Boston

                                                             

As part of a unit on The Abolitionists Movement (and Boston’s role in it), the following podcasts and videos would be excellent resources for building background knowledge and establishing a framework for discussion, contextual understanding, and debate.

Videos: 

PBS “The Abolitionists” 

Focus on Garrison and Douglass and their role in Boston’s Abolitionists movement. Useful in history class or as part of a unit, especially during the building background knowledge stage. Created by PBS Television.

Underground Railroad 

Explores the role of Underground Railroad in American History, with connections to the Abolitionists Movement. Created by The HIstory Channel, and would be useful in the early lessons of the unit or for building background knowledge.

Frederick Douglass and the Abolitionists Movement

Comprehensive overview of the role of Abolitionism in Boston, and the nature of the partnership/friendship between Frederick Douglass and William Llyod Garrison. Created by Craig Haffner. Useful when exploring regional history and connections to Boston’s history.

Black Heritage Trail Boston

Mini-tour of the Black Heritage Trail in Boston, this video explores the Museum of African American History, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, Beacon Hill houses on the Underground Railroad, etc. An excellent tool if you can’t do an actual field trip. Created by MAAH, Museum of African American History.

Exploring Black History in Boston

Overview of Black History in Boston, including scholar interviews and background. Produced by BNN. Excellent for building background knowledge or research projects.

Podcasts

Real Black History

Excellent collection of videos focused on Black history in America, this NPR created podcast covers a wide range of topics in an engaging way. Great supplement to lessons on the Abolitionists movement.

Code Switch NPR

Described as “Fearless Conversations about Race”, this is a more modern look at issues of race affecting society today. It’s a project of National Public Radio (NPR), and is especially useful as a way to link history with events happening today (i.e. history of the Supreme Court and Biden’s nomination of a first Black Supreme Court Justice).

HubHistory

Specific to Boston’s history, these podcasts are great for use in studies of local history, or for project-based work and research. Created by Hub history, the podcast includes interviews and primary sources documents.