11 January - 17 January

Now that we are back from break, we will resume our study of Blacks in America History, with a look at the struggles faced by African-Americans in the 20th-century to gain equality in the United States. This is a study that should last about three weeks.

To start, ponder the concept of "Separate but Equal" as laid down by the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision of 1896. So long as the appearance of equality was made, facilities could be provided to separate Black Americans from the white population. In short, it made segregation legal in America. However, and this is the journal question presented to you, Can separate truly be equal?

Two reading assignments follow:

    1) "Black Migration to the North" - After reading three letters written to the editor of the Chicago Defender, answer the set of 10 questions that follow.

    2) "Three Visions for African-Americans" - As you read through the short biographies of Booker T. Washington,  W.E.B. Du Bois, and Marcus Garvey - three Black leaders of the early 20th century - write down 10 facts about each (that would be 30 total). Answering the two reading questions which follow is for extra credit.

Finishing the week will be three workbook activities. Actually, only the first one is required; the other two may be done for extra credit.

    1) "African American Culture and Politics," pages 188-89. To complete this activity, you will need to refer to pages 310-15 of the textbook.

    2) "Lift Every Voice and Sing," pages 190-91. (E/C)

    3) "Knocking the Color Out of Colored,"pages 192-93. (E/C)

Next week, we move into the era of the Civil Rights Movement.