Understanding the Film and Historical Context

This section of the text focuses on analyzing the documentary about the March on Washington and contextualizing it within the broader history of African Americans in the United States.

Tasks for Students:

1. Describe impressions of the March on Washington.
2. Explain Martin Luther King's dream as presented in the documentary.
3. Analyze a cartoon depicting the progress of African Americans over 250 years.

Example: The cartoon likely includes images representing key moments in afroamerikanische Geschichte, such as slavery, emancipation, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Students are asked to identify and research at least six pictures from the cartoon, using provided names and phrases as references. This exercise aims to help students understand the long-term progress and struggles of African Americans from slavery to the present day.

Highlight: This task encourages students to engage with a visual representation of history, promoting a deeper understanding of the complex journey towards equality.

The provided word box includes significant terms and figures related to African American history, such as:

• The Ku Klux Klan
• The Little Rock Nine
• Jim Crow laws
• Rosa Parks
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Barack Obama

Quote: "Slavery to Presidency: a long road" - This phrase encapsulates the extensive journey of African Americans in U.S. history.

Students are also prompted to write a 150-200 word commentary on this statement, applying their knowledge from the chapter to analyze the progress and challenges faced by African Americans throughout U.S. history.

Exploring the American Dream

The final section of the text encourages students to reflect on the concept of the American Dream, particularly in relation to racial equality and social progress.

Students are asked to consider Barack Obama as a representation of various aspects of the American Dream, including racial equality and the idea that anyone can become president. This prompts a discussion on how the election of the first African American president relates to the long struggle for civil rights.

Definition: The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone.

The task invites students to describe a person or story that illustrates an aspect of the American Dream. This could include:

• A sportsperson who overcame adversity to achieve success
• A musician who rose from humble beginnings to fame
• A politician who broke barriers in their field
• A book or TV series that explores themes of opportunity and success in America

Example: The story of Barack Obama, rising from a mixed-race background to become the first African American president, embodies several aspects of the American Dream.

This exercise encourages students to think critically about the concept of the American Dream, its evolving nature, and how it relates to the ongoing struggle for equality and opportunity in the United States.