Michele Norris, award-winning journalist who worked for NPR (National Public Radio) for many years, said the Obama presidency was “one of the most important hallmarks on race,” occurring at a time when the country was moving towards a majority-minority culture and definitions of "Americanness" were being redefined.

Directions

Watch Michele Norris on Life Stories' A Democracy Minute series discussing how Americans want to talk about race but grapple with how to do so.

Without taking any notes, reflect on one or two key points that stood out to you (for more background on Norris, click here). Then watch it again and write down your response to the following question:

What do you believe are the factors that shift cultural norms? How do you define Americanness?

You can make your response as short as the quote above or feel free to expand more. Discuss your excerpt with a partner or together as a class noting the commonalities and differences in students' responses.

Share your response under Life Stories' Instagram post and tag @NewsHourExtra, so we can see it, too!

Check out the following list of topics and accompanying learning resources released each Thursday leading up to the presidential election:

Life Stories is a nonprofit media organization that creates documentary films and educational resources about people whose lives inspire meaningful change. This interview is also featured in the HBO documentary "Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union."

Additional resources

In 2010, journalist Michele Norris started “The Race Card Project.” She asked people around the world to send her a postcard, and in just six words, share their thoughts, questions, experiences and aspirations about identity and race. Geoff Bennett and Norris discussed the project and her new book, “Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity.”

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