Jordan Schucker won for her project, “An Analysis of ‘The Color Line,’ Frederick Douglass 1881.” She created fthis project for Professor Pinsker's History 117 class, U.S. History to 1877.
While engaging in extensive research, Jordan uncovered a relatively unknown by Frederick Douglass entitled “The Color Line,” written in 1881. This article formed the basis of Jordan’s online project, which is an interactive teaching tool that includes well-documented images, original video, and links to related content including secondary and primary source material. In her analysis of Douglass’ article, Jordan provides an accessible history of 1880s-era United States that contextualizes the Jim Crow era, while examining the nature of prejudice in society, and Frederick Douglass’ faith that the human origin of prejudice means that it can be eradicated. Professor Pinsker described Jordan’s work as “rich and engaging” and noted that she “demonstrated terrific attention to detail.”