Sapelo Island – History & Land Tax Crisis
Sapelo Island is a barrier island. This land mass is a member of a chain of islands that extends from South Carolina to Northern Florida. Sapelo is accessible by ferry in Darien, GA. Sapelo plays a significant role in the history of enslaved people and their descendants, the Gullah-Geechee people. Geechee residents have been landowners on Sapelo since this end of the Civil War. In this video, viewers will learn about the challenges in preserving land ownership. Viewers will also witness the role of government in enforcing policies and its bearing on equity in the Sapelo community.
Critical Reflection Questions & Activities
Pre Video Questions |
Nobis Big Ideas |
| What are economic systems? List some. | History Power Relationships |
| How do you play a role in economic systems? | History Power |
| What is a family heirloom or something you value as a family? | Relationships Cultural Responsiveness |
| What is the role of taxes? What is the role of government to its constituents in the collection of taxes? | History Power |
| How does one make money? How do individuals support themselves/their families? | History Power |
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How does the government play a role in the preservation of:
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History Power Cultural Responsiveness |
Post Video Questions |
Nobis Big Ideas |
| What does this video remind you of? | History Relationships Global Citizenship |
| How does this narrative shift the story about enslaved people? | History Power Relationships Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
| How does this story explain black land ownership? | History Power |
| What new information did you receive about this period of American history? | History Power |
| Who has power (power over, power with, power within) in this situation? | History Power Relationships |
| How do individuals or groups with power derive and maintain that power? | History Power Relationships |
| Who’s opportunities are limited? How? | Power Relationships |
| How do people with power disparities interact? | Power Relationships |
| What are the dominant narratives of our local community? | Power Relationships Global Citizenships |
| What are the dominant narratives of the content this video? | Power |
| What are the collective histories in the video? And what content or choices support or question the narrative being told? | History Power Relationships Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
| What policies reinforce this situation? Who created those policies? What are the opportunities or barriers to changing them? | History Power Global Citizenship |
| Who controls the financial resources? How were those resources derived? | History Power Relationships |
| What historical events or relationships contribute to this narrative? | History Power Relationships |
| Is there reciprocity within relationships? And what is our shared fate and social responsibility in the relationships/communities in which we are civically engaging? | Relationships Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
| What is the dominant narrative in the video? | History |
| How does this story address inclusivity? | Power Relationships Cultural Responsiveness |
| How have communities or people with less control challenged this narrative? | History Power Relationships |
| How can you be empowered or empower others to discover the historical narratives in your community? How can you have honest and courageous conversations with community members? | Power Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
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How is land relationship connected to identity and what narratives are supported in this module in regards to :
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History Power Relationships |
| In this video Cornelia Bailey talks about land that has been family-owned by Geechee people since the Civil War. Why is this important to the history of Sapelo? Why is it important to the Geechee ancestral land? | History Power Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
| What is a threat to the Geechee community on Sapelo? Why could it be detrimental to the community? Where else does this happen? | History Power Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
| How are fragile cultures preserved? What might happen if these cultures are not preserved or valued? | History Power Global Citizenship Cultural Responsiveness |
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What is the role of the government in aiding or supporting communities that are subject to:
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History Power Relationships Cultural Responsiveness |
Additional Resources
