V4 - Literature lesson 6: Black Voices

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Literature lesson 6: Black Voices

Pages: 21-29

What do you know about Jim Crow Laws
& racial segregation in the US?

Questions for the video

1. When were the Jim Crow Laws introduced?

2. What is a minstrel show?

3. What was the laws' purpose?

4. Who taught people about the laws and how did they do it?

5. State some examples of Jim Crow Laws.

1. Once reconstruction ended (in the South). End of nineteenth century

2. Entertainment show that made fun of black people (Cf. ‘blackface’). A character in the show was called Jim Crow

3. The official determination of inferiority of black people.

4.

5. All kinds of derogatory terms (first name, etc.), separated in specific areas/places. Position in vehicles (back of truck, behind white driver), no interracial shaking hands, for that suggests both parties are equal. White supremacy. White cars go first on intersections.

The American whites used education as a tool
to suppress black people. How are
literacy and freedom related?

"Especially the Southern states had tried to control slaves and free people of colour by denying them education. They knew the power of writing and reading and feared literate slaves could use these new means of communication that would make it easier to plan revolts and escapes. Also allowing people of colour to write and read would make it harder to ‘justify’ slavery or treating them as inferior, since one of the arguments to do so was that these people would be unable to write and read, because they were not smart enough. Finally, literacy gives way to expanding knowledge, spreading new ideas, taking part of society in which writing was essential with regard to recording a new-born or marriage, raising literate children with a brighter future, developing critical thinking and so much more. An important example of critical thinking is that black people got to read the bible themselves and found that it even opposes slavery ‘”From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth (…)” (Acts)  "

Make sure you remember this part of the Reader!

What does the writer of this poem want to share here?

Have you ever thought about the position of Black soldiers in the American Army? 

What do you think is the importance of the last line?

Extra reading:

For some extra background on what life was like for African-American soldiers, read the article: "Are We Not American Soldiers?’ When the U.S. Military Treated German POWs Better Than Black Troops"

https://time.com/5872361/wwii-german-pows-civil-rights/

Strange Fruit

You will hear popular blues and jazz singer Billie Holiday sing the song Strange Fruit. It was based on a poem written by Abel Meeropol in the 1920s about a lynching. 

As the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, Billie's song became
THE protest song of the movement. 

As you listen, focus on what she is saying and note down which words
or parts of the song have an impact on you.

Which words or parts of the song
had an impact on you?

Poem analysis

1) State the meaning of the poem.

2) Analyse how the author brings across the message.

 (paradox, examples from the poem, etc.)

But there is hope