Black History Month...aka Mission Possible!

Ladies! I want to encourage you to start early and finish strong with the myriad tasks inherent in our upcoming "independent exploration" into aspects of the African-American Experience. Be sure to check the assignment timeline on this blog so that you're prepared for the various internal deadlines. For your ease as well as edification, I'll cut and paste here the handout I provided for you in class. Be sure to see me early rather than late with any questions/issues/concerns! This should be an interesting endeavor that furthers your growing edge with regards to African-American history and experience.

The Handout:

YOUR MISSION: To complete the following challenges within the way-too-short month of February and then submit your completed packet to the Women Fly folders on Friday, February 29th. Your goal will be to begin (or continue) a life-long process of exploring experiences (in this case, the African-American experience) that come together to form the “American Experience.” My dream for you is that you’ll develop a passion for knowing in a real way and for finding meaning in a life-changing way through an ongoing exploration of stories and their impact on our shared yet varied experience.

This challenge is by no means comprehensive or complete. I encourage you to find ways to augment this experience that are particularly meaningful to you on your journey.

Due Date for the entire Project Packet: Friday, February 29th. (See additional deadlines imbedded in the various assignments!!)

1. VIEW AND THEN REVIEW A FILM THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. (Use the attached “Film Analysis Sheet” to respond to your film selection. I will email you all a copy of this.)

2. And/or ATTEND ONE OF THE FILMS SHOWN IN OUR LUNCH TIME BLACK HISTORY FILM FEST OFFERINGS. (Shown in the 8th grade library: 12:45-1:15 daily) This film needs to be reviewed as well. (See #1) Note: You will be responsible for two films total - viewed at home or at school!

3. READ A NOVEL, MEMOIR, BIOGRAPHY, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, NONFICTION ACCOUNT THAT HAS DIRECT RELEVANCE TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Write at least three journal entries in your Reading Journal as you read your selection: two to peers and one to me. Of course, you may write even more as the spirit moves you. Also be ready to discuss the following points in small, informal group sessions:

a. What aspect of the African-American experience was highlighted and/or powerfully portrayed in your reading selection?
b. What did you learn or were you made aware of for the first time through reading this selection?
c. What, if any, specific knowledge that you felt you already possessed was reinforced through your reading selection?
d. What questions were you left with when you finished your selection?
e. To what degree would you recommend this reading selection and why?

In addition, you will need to write a word-processed book analysis, using the attached “Book Analysis Sheet” to guide you.

4. MEMORIZE AN IMPORTANT PIECE FROM THE CANON OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ORAL TRADITION AND BE READY TO RECITE IT ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH. (Note: if your piece is particularly long, you may do an interpretative reading. However, if possible, I would like to you memorize your piece. See me if you’re not sure about this!!)

Some examples of possible selections might be:

a. Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I A Woman?”
(http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/genwom/sojour.html)
b. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech (http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html)
c. Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman”
(http://www.poemhunter.com/p/m/poem.asp?poet=6834&poem=33052)
d. Frederick Douglass’ 1952 Speech “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”
(http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2927.html)
e. Mary McLeod Bethune’s 1939 speech “What Does American Democracy Mean to Me?”
(http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/sayitplain/mmbethune.html)
f. Langston Hughes’ “I, Too, Sing America”
(http://www.poetryconnection.net/poets/Langston_Hughes/2383)
g. Shirley Chisholm’s 1969 Speech to Congress, “Equal Rights for Women”
(http://www.infoplease.com/t/hist/equal-rights-for-women/index.html)
h. Tupac Shakur’s “And Tomorrow”
(http://www.tupacnet.org/poetry/poetry.htm)
…to name ONLY A FEW!!

(SEE ME WITH YOUR OWN IDEAS FOR THIS SECTION OF THE CHALLENGE!! I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU INTRODUCE US TO SOMETHING NEW AND IMPORTANT!)

5. LEARN A SONG / PRESENT A SONG OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE WITHIN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
(Due Friday, February 8th; please submit a Word Document “clean copy” of your song’s lyrics to my SGS email as an attachment (smclaughlin@seattlegirlsschoolorg.) … I will then project your lyrics when we share your song. Also, give me access to your song via CD, etc. See me sooner rather than later with any issues on this aspect of the project!)

Some examples might be:
a. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” also known as the African-American Anthem
b. “We Shall Overcome”, the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement
c. “Go Down Moses” (Let my people go...) or “The Drinking Gourd” …coded slave anthems
d. “Dear Mama” by Tupac Shakur
e. “Oh Freedom” or “I Shall Not Be Moved” by Harry Belafonte
f. “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” by Sweet Honey in the Rock
g. “Wade in the Water” African American spiritual
h. “All Falls Down” by Kanye West
i. Any song you might know of that speaks eloquently of/to the African-American experience.

To make this part of our exploration more meaningful, try to gather some background information on your song selection. If the song/singer/songwriter has a history, be prepared to informally (ie orally) share that.

6. INDEPENDENT PROJECT: This is your opportunity to develop an “experience” or project, which is particularly significant for your personal journey to fuller awareness. Some possible ideas might be to interview an African-American elder about her/his experiences, the creation of a poem, story or song that address African-American experience, a “field trip” that leads to further understanding of the African-American experience, or whatever you can think of that would be particularly meaningful. Please run your ideas by me first by mid-February. We will discuss these projects on Thursday, February 28th and Friday, February 29th. If your independent project involves an experience, an interview or the like, you will need to write a double-spaced 1-3 page reflection, describing your adventure and musing on lessons learned.

SEE ME WITH QUESTIONS! I can't wait to experience what you come up with for this project!