Our classroom is not very racially diverse, so I wasn't sure how this exploration's theme was going to play out.  I didn't need to worry.  One of the great accomplishments of our times is embedding a sense of narrative into all areas of modern life.  We tell stories for almost every facet of teaching and this is especially true when we tackle a massive issue such as the abolition of slavery or the contributions of black culture and heritage.  It was fascinating to share with my students the stories about the underground railroad, the abolition of slavery, the rise of the civil rights movement and the contributions of key individuals in the search for equal rights.  I loved the chance to see the indignation in the kids' faces when they learned of the terrible treatment of slaves through the great stories we shared.  It certainly affirms your faith in the human soul.  And in this way you also get a chance to experience anew the same feelings of outrage when you first learned of the horrors of slavery. It's not a pleasant experience but it is memorable and that's what I was hoping to accomplish. I wanted the kids to remember these stories so that they would always recognize the signs of racism and discrimination