Race: Day 4

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Period 1:
Booker T. Washington bio and the Atlanta Compromise speech

Video: Explained. Racial Wealth Gap.

Read the handout of poems and the Atlantic article by Ta-Nehisi Coates: "The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration." Use your creativity to write a poem or essay draft inspired by one of these poems or what the article sparks.

Suggestions:
  • Write a poem about a nickname (or racial slur) you or someone you know earned in school. 
  • Write about a time you had to declare your racial heritage.
  • Write about your parents (or a parent/relative, etc.) that had to assimilate or taught you something about your culture.
  • Write about a relative or neighbor that you know in prison.
  • Write a fictional story from the perspective of an inmate in a State or local prison or from a family member or law enforcement officer affected by crime or our prison system. To help you see the following sites:
  • Create a documentary in a similar style to the Op Docs linked above.
If you finish early, use your time to write other things (see previous posts for options!), learn about Racial/Ethnic Prejudice (crash course), or read your novel.

Two videos - Thanks, Tyler!:
Period 2:

So, how do we use what we've learned to help communicate our feelings about race? Can America's race problems be solved? Why or why not? Gather your evidence and begin to build a case. Our goal is: "How do we solve the race issue(s) in America?"

In groups of 2-3, please gather your notes, handouts, and resources from this unit and discuss a strategy/philosophy that would help to solve America's "race" problem. You must cite or reference at least 3 outside sources we discussed (videos, articles, or philosophers) in class to support your case.

 What's the solution to our race problem(s) in America? 

Race and American Identity is closely linked. Our history has several really bad blemishes on its face. One of these is the legacy of slavery and buying into the idea culturally that certain cultures (usually outsiders, minorities, or foreigners) are inferior or do not deserve the same rights and protections under the American Constitution. This is a paradox: how can America see itself as the "land of the free, home of the brave" and follow the idea that "all 'men' are created equal" when this sort of thinking continues to raise its ugly head?

Since emancipation, we have struggled with this issue. No generation has been able to cure America's problem of "the color line."

But you are our only hope. Do us proud!

HOMEWORK: Complete American War. We have a masterclass with the author on Wednesday, 3-4 period. Please remind your teachers that you will be missing that date/time.

Comments

James Talada said…
The story itself, so far, is alright. It's nothing that's holding my interest or really 'clicking' (for lack of a better term) with me but I'll finish it tonight - just so I know what to talk about when Omar gets here.

I suppose if there was a massive revolt, sickness, destruction, pornography, devastation, or a light entertainment war that the events portrayed in the book could occur. Who knows? I can study history but I can't study the future. Why don't we ask Omar what he thinks, on Wednesday?
March 25, 2019 at 8:30 AM
Unknown said…
The books look at an alternative future is interesting and I do enjoy how the creativity expands to more than "copy and past America but MORE RACIST". Oddly enough the book reminds me of that movie they used to show every black history month "Our friend, Martin", In particularly where the boys bring Martin to the future and everything's segregated and apparently Hispanic people don't know English.

I currently do enjoy the book from what I've read through, though I feel as if maybe what's going to be the catching point is a tied ending to have the reader really think about the retrospect of ideas and themes brought up.
March 25, 2019 at 8:38 AM
Anonymous said…
I was encouraged to read this book because of the map at the beginning that showed Florida to be underwater and Mexico to have taken their land back. I like maps and we joke about not moving to Florida because it will be gone soon. In all seriousness though just the map alone introduced contemporary issues into the story. Climate change, is it problem? If it is, how do we fix it? Will we just ignore it until it gets so bad that Florida gets swallowed. History, what to we move past what to we hold onto? We all know the land we live on was stolen but do we all acknowledge it? Can you really make up for a mass genocide?
The whole second Civil War though is certainly possible. Hypothetically we could have six more World Wars but I'm definitely not sitting up at night worrying over them. I think if there ever was to be a second Civil War it would have to be way into the future and probably occur after the mainstream and structure of America had fallen (let's say maybe the disappearance of our coasts). I would say that the plot of this book is more of a warning of the worst not a prediction. You can't keep sweeping issues under the rug. Sooner or later they'll catch up. Will it start a Civil War? Probably not. Nevertheless, some issues are much more physical and can literally not be ignored. There's no negotiating with climate.
March 25, 2019 at 8:40 AM
FM said…
So far the book is interesting, it keeps me engaged due to the simple fact of a second civil war. It's crazy to see how things would've turned out in El Akkad's point of view. Things got terrible that a lot of the land we have now isn't there anymore and Sarat's family have to go to a refugee camp and move around. I believe that a second civil war is possible but not likely to happen. Even though the country is divided politically and socially,it's not enough to actually start a war, it would take something truly terrible and I don't think a lot of the people in the country would want a civil war to breakout.
March 25, 2019 at 8:40 AM
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
March 25, 2019 at 8:41 AM
Anonymous said…
This book has been interesting and it has allowed me to look at various issues in a different way. Many issues that have been happening in this century, such as, climate change, race, etc. are portrayed. I think that another Civil War can possibly happen. We are a big nation with many different ideas, and not everyone agrees on diverse topics. This has caused confusion and conflict. Although the book portrays an issue between the north and the south, I feel like the next civil war wouldn't be like that. I feel like each state would be against other states due to the diverse laws and ideas of each state. Some states approve of some politicians and their ideas, while others do not. Federalism and gerrymandering could play a big role (in my thoughts) in the next civil war, but who knows? I have really enjoyed Sarat's character and how her character has developed throughout the story. Omar El Akkad chose a really interesting topic to write about since it seems very realistic. Many writers don't incorporate these contemporary issues, but it is important because it makes others aware and people are able to relate/follow the story line.
March 25, 2019 at 8:45 AM
Unknown said…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROracLAcRSc : Our Friend Martin on Youtube.
March 25, 2019 at 8:46 AM
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