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Impact on Viewers
The social identities and life experiences of
students will shape how they see, feel and
understand The Book of Negroes series. The
content may be new to some students and
reflect the ancestry of others. Other students
may have no immediately apparent
reference points in their experience or
ancestry, yet live in a modern world
constructed atop the narrative of slavery.
Exploring this material will fill out their
understanding of both historical and
contemporary Western societies.
To maximize learning and insight, educators
can create opportunities for students to
explore their social identities prior to and
throughout the viewing experience. Issues of
“race,” gender, culture and class are themes
woven through the series. Providing students
with opportunities to explore how they
understand the world through these lenses
will lead to viewing experiences that are
shaped more by inquiry than bias.
Content Warnings
Language
This series contains language that is
offensive. The word “nigger” is used
casually at several points throughout the
series and is, in its use, historically accurate.
As part of the “un-naming” of enslaved
Africans, it played a significant role in
dehumanizing and stripping them of their
individuality in a single utterance.
Additionally, African-American men are
sometimes referred to as “bucks” in the
series. This is a term used to refer to
animals, not human beings. Taking
opportunities to focus on naming and
labelling will help students understand the
power of language and the specific role it
plays both in the series and in life in
divesting others of their personhood.
Sexual Violence
At several points in the series, there is both
implied and actual sexual violence against
Aminata and other enslaved women. The
inclusion of this violence is essential to
understand how severely slavery
dehumanized and disempowered both
African women and men.
Sexuality
Sexual activity between Aminata and
Chekura in several scenes serves as a
humanizing contrast to scenes of sexual
violence, showing instead a loving,
consensual union.
Violence
There are many scenes of violence in the
series. They include different forms of
brutality against enslaved men, women and
children, the violence of war, and the
psychological violence of dehumanization.
These are accurate, perhaps even mild
depictions of historical fact that spare the
viewer the full force and range of violence
enacted during this time period.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL TEACHERS:
Before viewing The Book of Negroes series
with your students, please be sure to
preview each episode to identify ageappropriate
scenes.
For Elementary, Intermediate or Middle
Years classes, we’ve made scene
suggestions in each section of this guide.
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