SMEA is a proud sponsor of MusiCounts - #BlackMusicMatters: Hip-Hop & Social Justice in Canada
Hip Hop & Social Justice in Canada
Hip-hop is a ‘culture’, and as such, hip-hop music can be integrated with other areas of the arts such as dance and visual arts. Cross-curricular connections can also be made with many subject areas such as English, Geography, History, Business, Visual Arts, and the Social Sciences. Educators of grades 7-12 students are encouraged to use this resource as an entry point for engaging students in the study of Canadian Black culture, history, and creation through hip-hop music.
The main purpose of this resource is to help educators and students explore Canadian hip-hop music and its role as a tool for promoting and advocating for social justice. The songs selected to support the lessons developed for this resource all have identifiable social justice themes. As such, social justice education must be at the center of a learning that takes place in the classroom through the use of this resource.
Download the Resource Introduction document to better understand how to implement this resource into the classroom, and to get a sense of the lesson structure.
Educators are encouraged to review the material in this resource context guide prior to exploring the provided lessons with students. This material serves as a foundation for the inquiry and analysis that will take place during discussions and activities with students.
In this lesson, students will explore the history and legacy of gentrification experienced by the residents of Africville, Nova Scotia as communicated through the song “Africville” by Black Union featuring Maestro and Kaleb Simmonds.