Classwork for Wednesday 2/18/2009

African-Americans and Progressivism

Do Whatcha Know!
You are an African American born into slavery in 1845. When you are in your twenties, the U.S. Congress ratifies the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. Still, you know that even though the laws have changed, the hearts and minds of certain European Americans in your community have not changed.

During your monthly visit to the nearest town, you pick up two pamphlets. You have difficulty reading them because you were not allowed to learn to read before the Thirteenth Amendment.
So, you visit the minister of your community’s church and he reads the pamphlets to you. The minister asks for your views on the information in the pamphlets. What do you tell him?

Intro to New Material
You’ll read the pamphlets by DuBois and Washington to find out their opinions.

Guided Practice
In pairs, one of you will adopt the persona of Booker T. Washington and the other will adopt the persona of W.E.B DuBois, both responding to the phrase, “We, the people”. Together, we’ll go through the Talking Heads Activity Sheet.

Independent Practice
Based on your completed Talking Heads Activity Sheet, you will role-play Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois and interview each other.
Next, we’ll discuss pro and con views of each man’s position as a class.

Learning Log
Re-think the dilemma posed earlier and write your response to the “minister.” Your response must:
• Summarize each man’s position.
• Defend one of the positions with supporting examples from the pamphlets.