Content tagged with African Americans:
After reading the text, African Americans - from Slavery to the Present Day, try the following tasks.
There are and have been famous African Americans in many fields; entertainment, music, politics, sport. How many famous African Americans can you think of?
Discussion:
- What were your first thoughts after having seen the film in its entirety? This film triggers many emotions. Write down some key words and share with another student.
- Would you recommend this film to others and why?
Pre reading: The following is a quote taken from the film.
Mayor Tilma: “Do you like baseball, do you, Anderson?”
Agent Anderson: “Yeah, I do. You know, it's the only time when a black man can wave a stick at a white man and not start a riot.”
With a partner discuss your interpretation of this quote.
Pre-reading activity: Which coloured American writers and actors do you know? What have they achieved through their career?
Unfortunately, the anti-discrimination legislation of the past few decades has not yet managed to totally banish racial discrimination in the US. Race riots still occur, for instance the Los Angeles Riots of 1992, the 2001 Cincinnati Riots, the 2005 Toledo Riot, the 2006 Fontana High School Riot, and the 2009 Oakland Riots.
The American South is associated with a fertile climate. The prospect of owning huge tobacco and cotton plantations attracted European immigrants from the early 1600s. Plantation owners used slaves to labour in the vast fields.
Having this in mind, what are your thoughts when you ponder the title "Strange Fruit"?
