Assignment Task:
References:
- Norton: Booker T Washington's "Up From Slavery," p.469 (1901); W.E.B. Dubois's "The Souls of Black Folk," p.559 (1903); Henry James, "Beast In The Jungle," p.399 (1903)
- James Baldwin and Maya Angelou (Conversation) YouTube Link
- Norton: Zora Neale Hurston's (1891-1960) "Sweat" and "How it Feels to Be Colored Me"; Jean Toomer from Cane (1923); Lucille Clifton poems (selected from works 1972-2004); Toni Morrison's "Recitatif" (1983)
- BLM Media Packet and Howard University's Law Library Civil Rights Histories
1. Drawing from the following readings and viewings, what are some discoveries and takeaways relating to our course's theme 2? Re / Presentation, Re/Construction: Slavery and Civil Rights Literature? How do these authors shed light on issues of injustice and resistance? How do they help shape identity and empowerment goals to affirm civil and human rights in society and in the arts?
2. To grapple with these large questions, begin by discussing a few key moments in reading and viewing that left deep impressions. Then, compare and contrast authors' styles and visions to arrive at a message that changes your perceptions or adds depth to your understanding of American literature and American history. You need not discuss every single reading or summarize. Instead, spend time analyzing your perceptions and impressions to articulate where they come from and what they mean to you. Which authors do you love the most, and why?