This session explores how teachers can integrate the teaching of “controversial” topics (e.g., racism) through concepts (e.g. meritocracy, race as a social construct, microaggressions) to create a more thorough exploration of content. Concretely, the presenters will explain concepts they have taught, the broader curricular and community contexts in which they taught the concepts, and engage participants in the same hands on activities the presenters did with their secondary students.