Crime and Criminal Justice

In this episode of Crash Course Black American History, Clint Smith explores the origins and impact of "Slave Codes"—the set of laws passed in the American colonies to legally distinct Black people (both enslaved and free) from white colonists and to cement a racial hierarchy. The video details how these laws were not merely about labor management but were designed to protect the economic "investment" of enslavers by stripping Black people of basic rights, limiting their movement, and criminalizing their independence. The video examines specific historical statutes from colonies like Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and New York, illustrating how the legal system evolved to make slavery hereditary and permanent. Key concepts such as "partus sequitur ventrem" (the condition of the child follows the mother) are explained to show how the law was manipulated to ensure a perpetual labor force. The narrative highlights the hypocrisy of colonists demanding liberty from Britain while simultaneously constructing a legal framework to deny liberty to Black Americans. For educators, this video serves as a crucial resource for teaching the systemic nature of racism and slavery in the United States. It moves beyond the view of slavery as just a labor system and reveals it as a legal and social structure designed to oppress. It is an excellent tool for High School US History and Civics classrooms to spark discussions about how laws can be used to enforce inequality and how the legacy of these colonial codes influences modern legal and social disparities.

This educational video from Crash Course Black American History provides a nuanced and historically accurate examination of the Underground Railroad, dismantling common myths while highlighting the true heroism involved. Host Clint Smith explains that the railroad was not a literal train system nor a centralized organization, but rather a loose network of individuals—primarily Black abolitionists—who risked their lives to help enslaved people find freedom. The video profiles key figures like William Still, the "Father of the Underground Railroad," and examines the specific terminology used within the network, such as conductors, stations, and station masters. The content explores critical themes regarding the agency of enslaved people, correcting the historical narrative that often centers benevolent white allies. It delves into the geography of escape, revealing that freedom seekers didn't just head North to Canada, but also South to Mexico and the Caribbean. The video also tackles complex topics like the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, the pseudoscience of "drapetomania," and the statistical reality that while the Underground Railroad was symbolically powerful, only a small fraction of the enslaved population successfully escaped, which underscores the brutality of the system rather than a lack of desire for freedom. For educators, this video is an invaluable tool for teaching critical historical thinking and source analysis. It provides opportunities to discuss how history is recorded and remembered, contrasting popular folklore with documented evidence like William Still's records. It allows teachers to facilitate deep discussions about resistance, the legal structures protecting slavery, and the diverse geography of freedom in the Americas. The video is particularly useful for moving students beyond a surface-level understanding of the Underground Railroad to a more complex appreciation of Black resistance strategies.

This educational video from Crash Course Black American History provides a comprehensive analysis of the landmark 1896 Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video details the story of Homer Plessy, a mixed-race man from New Orleans who participated in a carefully orchestrated act of civil disobedience to challenge the Separate Car Act of 1890. It explains the legal arguments presented, the Supreme Court's 7-1 ruling that established the "separate but equal" doctrine, and the sole dissenting opinion that argued the Constitution should be colorblind. The video explores complex themes including the social construction of race, the "one-drop rule," and the strategic nature of civil rights activism. It highlights how the Committee of Citizens planned Plessy's arrest as a test case, debunking the myth that such events were random acts of defiance. Furthermore, it examines the devastating long-term impact of the ruling, which legalized racial segregation and ushered in the Jim Crow era that oppressed Black Americans for nearly seventy years. For educators, this resource is an invaluable tool for teaching U.S. History, Civics, and Government. It moves beyond a surface-level timeline of events to explore the mechanics of the judicial system and how laws can be used to both fight and perpetuate oppression. The video provides clear definitions of constitutional amendments and offers a nuanced look at the specific legal language used to justify segregation, making it an excellent anchor for discussions on systemic racism, legal precedent, and the history of civil rights in America.

Hosted by Lily Gladstone, this episode of Crash Course Native American History explores the pivotal and diverse roles of Native women, Femmes, and Two-Spirit people from pre-contact times to the present day. It challenges the monolithic view of Native gender roles by highlighting the existence of matriarchal and matrilineal societies, such as the Diné (Navajo), where women hold significant economic and decision-making power. The video details historical figures like the warrior Buffalo Calf Road Woman and the diplomat Jikonsaseh, who helped found the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, illustrating that Native women have always served as leaders, healers, and protectors of their nations. The video also tackles the dark history of colonization and its specific targeting of Indigenous women to destabilize tribal societies. It addresses difficult topics including the imposition of European patriarchal values, the forced sterilization of thousands of Native women in the 1970s, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The narrative explains how settler colonialism disrupted traditional gender balances and how systemic failures in law enforcement continue to impact Native communities today. Despite these challenges, the video emphasizes resilience and modern activism. It profiles influential leaders like Elouise Cobell, who successfully sued the U.S. government for billions in mismanagement of funds, and Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary. For the classroom, this resource is invaluable for teaching about gender studies, civil rights, and the complex legal and social history of Native Americans. It provides students with a nuanced understanding of how historical trauma and contemporary triumph coexist in Indigenous communities.

This episode of Crash Course Black American History, hosted by Clint Smith, examines the tragic 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi and its profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement. The video details the events leading up to his kidnapping by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, the brutal murder, and the subsequent trial that resulted in a hasty acquittal by an all-white jury. Central to the narrative is the courageous decision by Emmett's mother, Mamie Till, to hold an open-casket funeral, allowing the world to witness the brutality of white supremacy through the publication of photographs in Jet magazine. The video explores key themes such as the systemic failure of the justice system in the Jim Crow South, the vital role of Black-owned media (like the Chicago Defender and Jet) in exposing racial terror, and the concept of double jeopardy. It highlights how domestic terrorism was used to enforce social hierarchy and how this specific event galvanized Black Americans to mobilize for civil rights. The host also connects historical events to the present day, using a personal anecdote about visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture to illustrate how recent this history truly is. For educators, this video serves as a powerful tool to teach about the catalyst of the modern Civil Rights Movement and the realities of life under Jim Crow. It provides a nuanced look at how legal structures protected perpetrators of racial violence and how media was used as a form of resistance. The content allows for deep discussions on the ethics of photojournalism, the limitations of the legal system, and the intergenerational trauma of racism, making it highly relevant for American History, Civics, and Social Justice curricula.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of how tax dollars are utilized across the three levels of government in the United States: federal, state, and local. Building upon the concept of federalism, the narrator breaks down specific services and programs funded by taxes, illustrating the tangible benefits citizens receive in exchange for their contributions. The video systematically categorizes expenditures, making the complex flow of public funds understandable for students. Key themes include the distinction between federal responsibilities (such as national defense, Social Security, and interstate highways), state responsibilities (primarily education and state law enforcement), and local responsibilities (including emergency services, libraries, and city maintenance). The video emphasizes that while taxes are often viewed negatively, they are the necessary engine behind essential services that protect and support the population. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent tool for Civics and Social Studies units on government structure and economics. It helps students connect abstract concepts of taxation to the real-world infrastructure and safety networks they encounter daily. The clear segmentation allows teachers to focus on specific levels of government or use the entire video to compare and contrast the roles of different jurisdictions.

This engaging educational video introduces young learners to the role of police officers as vital community helpers. Hosted by Justin and his robot friend Plato in their "Clubhouse," the lesson frames police work around the concepts of safety, assistance, and community support. Through a mix of animation, catchy songs, and a video call interview with a real police officer named Officer Darria, students learn that police officers are approachable figures whose primary job is to help people when they are in trouble or need assistance. The video explores several key themes regarding law enforcement duties appropriate for early elementary students. It covers the daily responsibilities of officers, such as patrolling neighborhoods, enforcing traffic laws to keep roads safe, and responding to emergencies alongside firefighters and paramedics. Special attention is given to the tools of the trade, including badges, radios, patrol cars, and even forensic concepts like fingerprints. It also introduces specialized units, explaining how trained dogs and horses assist officers in their work. Ideally suited for early childhood and lower elementary social studies curriculums, this video serves as an excellent resource for units on "Community Helpers." It helps demystify the police for children, fostering a sense of safety and trust. Teachers can use the segment on fingerprints to introduce basic science concepts, or use the story of the lost child to spark important class discussions about safety procedures when shopping or in public places.

This episode of Crash Course Black American History explores the Stonewall Rebellion and the life of one of its most iconic figures, Marsha P. Johnson. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video details the systemic police harassment and criminalization of the LGBTQ+ community in the 1960s that led to the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969. It examines the myths and realities surrounding the rebellion, including the debated role of Johnson herself during the initial outbreak of resistance. The narrative broadens to cover the aftermath, including the first Pride parades and the formation of activist organizations like the Gay Liberation Front. The video provides a deep dive into the biography of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman who navigated homelessness, sex work, and severe mental health struggles while becoming a tireless advocate for gay rights. It highlights her friendship with Sylvia Rivera and their co-founding of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to support homeless transgender youth. The content addresses the complexities of historical figures, urging viewers to see Johnson not just as a two-dimensional hero, but as a complex human being who faced significant trauma, including sexual assault and institutionalization, yet remained a pivotal force for change. For educators, this video serves as a powerful resource for teaching the intersections of Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ history. It provides critical opportunities to discuss how laws and societal norms affect marginalized groups, the evolution of social justice movements from spontaneous protests to organized political action, and the importance of intersectionality in activism. The video also opens the door for nuanced discussions about historical memory, the reliability of oral histories versus written records, and how society chooses to remember its icons.

This episode of Crash Course Black American History profiles the life and legacy of Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a pioneering journalist and activist who dedicated her life to exposing the truth about lynching in the American South. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video traces Wells' journey from her birth into slavery in Mississippi to her emergence as an international anti-lynching crusader. It details her early career as a teacher and journalist, her legal battles against segregation on trains, and the pivotal tragedy at the People's Grocery in Memphis that catalyzed her lifelong mission. The narrative highlights how Wells used investigative reporting and statistical data to dismantle white supremacist narratives, specifically the "rape myth" used to justify mob violence. The video explores several key historical themes, including the rise of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during Reconstruction, the use of lynching as a tool of social and economic control during the Jim Crow era, and the intersectionality of Black women's activism. It examines the specific strategies Wells employed, such as publishing under a pseudonym to ensure her safety, taking her campaign internationally to Great Britain to pressure the U.S. government, and co-founding major organizations like the NAACP and the National Association of Colored Women. The video also touches on the personal costs of activism and the constant threat of violence faced by those who challenged the status quo. For educators, this video serves as a powerful resource for teaching about the post-Reconstruction era, media literacy, and the history of civil rights activism before the 1950s. It provides a nuanced look at how historical narratives are constructed and deconstructed, showing students the power of data and journalism in fighting injustice. The video connects historical events to modern movements, illustrating the continuity of the struggle for racial justice. It is particularly useful for discussions on the specific mechanisms of systemic racism and the courage required to document and speak truth to power.

This episode of Crash Course Political Theory explores the history, philosophy, and future of the prison system. Host Ellie Anderson examines why societies punish, moving from historical corporal punishment to the development of the modern prison system in the late 1700s. The video breaks down complex concepts like Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon and Michel Foucault's theories on surveillance, helping students understand how physical structures and social observation influence human behavior.

This episode of Crash Course Government and Politics breaks down the complex hierarchy of the United States court system. Host Craig Benzine uses engaging analogies and visuals to explain the dual structure of state and federal courts, detailing how cases originate in trial courts and potentially move up the appellate ladder to the Supreme Court. The video clarifies the critical distinction between original and appellate jurisdiction, explaining why most cases never reach the highest court in the land. The content explores the specific criteria required for federal courts to hear a case, such as issues involving federal law, treaties, or constitutional questions. It provides a detailed look at the 'rules of access' that the Supreme Court uses to filter cases, including concepts like standing, mootness, and ripeness. The video also demystifies the geographical organization of the 12 Circuit Courts of Appeals and how regional differences can influence legal outcomes. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundational resource for units on the Judicial Branch, Federalism, or Civil Rights. It effectively translates dense legal terminology into accessible concepts using visual metaphors like ladders and avocados. The explanation of why the Supreme Court refuses to hear the vast majority of cases helps students understand the limitations of judicial power and the procedural hurdles involved in American litigation.

This educational video from Crash Course Black American History, hosted by Clint Smith, provides a comprehensive examination of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972). It details how the United States Public Health Service recruited 600 Black men in Macon County, Alabama, under the guise of receiving free health care, only to withhold life-saving treatment for syphilis to observe the disease's progression. The video explores the historical context of scientific racism that fueled the study, the specific unethical methodologies employed, and the devastating impact on the men, their families, and the broader Black community's trust in the medical system. The narrative delves into the complex layers of the study, including the role of the Great Depression and poverty in coercing participation, the lack of informed consent, and the involvement of Black medical professionals like Nurse Eunice Rivers. It highlights the eventual exposure of the study by whistleblower Peter Buxtun in 1972, the subsequent class-action lawsuit led by Fred Gray, and the resulting changes in medical ethics laws, including the National Research Act of 1974 and the establishment of Institutional Review Boards. For educators, this video is a powerful tool for teaching about bioethics, civil rights history, and systemic racism in healthcare. It connects historical events to contemporary issues, such as medical mistrust and health disparities, encouraging students to think critically about the responsibilities of scientific institutions. The video serves as a case study for understanding the importance of informed consent and the long-term sociological effects of unethical government actions.