Using the Legacy of Courage Film

Explain to students that the case of Roberts against the City of Boston was just one example of the larger effort towards gaining equal rights by African Americans in Massachusetts and beyond. Introduce Legacy of Courage: Black Changemakers in Massachusetts Past, Present, and Future as a film that chronicles not only Sarah Roberts’ case but two other activist-led legal efforts-those of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman in the 18th century, and Ruth Batson in the 20th century.

Access the Middle School film discussion guide or the High School film discussion guide and curate the questions that offer the best learning pathway for your own classroom community and fit the time frame you have. Alternatively, you may invite students to choose the questions they are most excited to discuss. And keep in mind that many of these would make excellent writing prompts for a journaling or quick-write exercise following the film depending on your time frame.