Obama

You have finished the end of the African American History Course. I hope you learned some things, challenged some old beliefs and found the course interesting. I have a final question for you...the election of Barack Obama to the office of the President of the United States will no doubt be hailed as a milestone for the rest of the history of the United States. In your opinion, what do you think the legacy of the election of Obama means, has it changed anything in the short term and what impact does it hold for the future? 15 lines minimum.

Is a lot of protest surrounding Obama just a racial issue?

Read the following article. First, you have to know about the tax protest tea bag group that formed around April 15. You may need to look this up on your own. Is what former President Carter saying about race and Obama true?

Slavery Differences

Slaves brought to the New World either went to the Caribbean or what is currently the East Coast of the United States and Canada. These colonies were either in hands of the British, Dutch, French or Spanish. Except for the Dutch, how did the colonial settlement create differences in the way Africans were treated in the New World.

Summary

Please summarize what you learned from todays lesson

Civil Rights and Obama

Read this article. Where should he start? What priority would you give the groups according to what you see in your community?

Returning to ones roots

Read the follwing story from the NY Times Magazine. Describe the connection that is being established. Are there any connections you currently make, have made in the past or would like to make in the future with any extended family? Describe these events. What things are different? Have you learned anything from participating in such an activity?

Obama and change

Read the following editorial about the past year and the type of change brought about by the election of Barack Obama. Please write your 15 line reaction/response to this editorial.

What works

Read this editorial. Compare and contrast some of the programs Leonard Pitts (he is by far my favorite columnist) talks about here with your own experience in Harrisburg (or other) Schools. Pay special attention to your experience at SciTech.

Art

Noted historian Simon Schama has said of art :

(art helps us)"feel the rush of life...

art reclaims what had once been the role of religion...

consolation for our mortality through the relish of the gift of life"

What do you think?

I am Sean Bell; Black Boys Speak

On November 25, 2006, undercover NYPD officers fired at least 50 rounds of bullets into a car carrying three UNARMED men of African American and Latino decent; killing one, SEAN BELL and seriously wounding two others. Bell age 23 was scheduled to be married on that fateful day.Three of the five detectives involved in the shooting went to trial on charges ranging from manslaughter to reckless endangerment. All were found not guilty.The incident has sparked fierce criticism of the NYPD as the city faces yet another murder of an unarmed African American man at the hands of those expected to protect and serve.“I AM SEAN BELL, black boys speak” is a short form documentary from Wildseed Films that highlights the voices of young black boys between the ages of 11 and 13 years old growing up in New York City.They speak openly and honestly about their reaction to the Sean Bell tragedy as well as their fears and hopes as they approach manhood in a city where the lives of young black men are often cut short, too often, and too soon.

1. What is your reaction?
2. Do You see any parallels between this incidents and any in your community?
3. What is the significance of 'grass roots community involvement'?



http://www.vimeo.com/2691617

A Girl like Me

After viewing the video, "A Girl Like Me", add your reaction to the societal pressures of being a young person in today's world. Have a good, safe weekend.

Welcome

You will post your responses here under comments. You may have to create an account. This will not be a daily thing but may be. In any event, for today I would like you to respond to this reading. 15 lines at a minimum. Thanks and have a good day.