Share with the class that Black Codes elicited a range of reactions from different segments of American society. Divide the class into groups of two assigning each student the responses from a Northerner and two Southern African Americans.

Have each group answer and discuss the following questions in conversation using the Response to the Black Codes handout:

• What stance does the author of this excerpt take regarding Black Codes? What evidence is there of this stance?
• What does this response to Black Codes reveal about the political and racial worldview of the author(s)?
• What is one sentence that stands out to you from this excerpt? In what way is it powerful and revealing of the attitudes and emotions of the United States in the after the Civil War?

As an optional element, you may opt to review as a whole class or divide students into groups of three and add the response to the Black Codes from a Confederate to the discussion. This excerpt, by George Fitzhugh, includes racist language and stereotypes that need to be treated with sensitivity. While this historical expression of racism is included in order to help students recognize and understand the ongoing influence of White supremacist ideology after enslavement, it is imperative that if shared it is done with care as it may trigger painful emotions and responses in students.