African American Poem

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

This poem by Maya Angelou explains how she continues to build her career even though many people are racist to her because she is African American. She was a very accomplished woman that became the first African American woman director in Hollywood. In this poem, she explains that everyone in the world is going to bed in fear, or pain, or disappointment, but there is still the nobleness of the human spirit no matter what you look like. You have the ability to rise.

African American Picture Book

This book is about an African American girl named Grace. She loves to act in the plays her class does and often gets the lead role. But when the class does Peter Pan, the kids tell her she cannot have the lead. Peter is a boy and is not black. But with the encouragement and confidence from her Nana and Ma, Grace tries out anyway. The class then agrees that Grace is the best, and she gets the role. 

African American Piece of Art

This African American art piece is a watercolor that was done during the Harlem Renaissance.  This piece was influenced by the African Americans love for jazz that was developed during the renaissance in the 1920’s.

African American Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esklHOn4frs
I picked this piece because it was the offical song for the African American Civil Rights Movements. It speaks of the hope the African Americans have that some day they will overcome the trials and obstacles that many of them face, and they will be set free. I think that even though they are no longer slaves, this song still applies to many African Americans as many of them still feel racism against them.

African American Movie

This movie is about Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized African American, who was adopted by a caring white family. This movie shows the inner drive this African American had to succeed. He represents not only the drive he had, but also the inner drive many African-Americans have to be successful today.

2 African American Historical Events

One of the most major historical events with African Americans that was connected to the United States was the Civil War. This war began in 1861 when the Deep South seceded from the United States due to the issue with slavery. Many people in the United States thought that slavery was ok, while others did not leading to the war. The North eventually won, and slavery was banned. But this did not end the racism and prejudice that was held against African Americans. Many people continue to treat them in a very disrespectful way. In 1909, another major historical event happened for African Americans. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in New York by black and white intellectuals.  This association served as the country’s most influential African-American civil rights organizations for the next half century. It was dedicated to political equity and social justice. Even though both of these events strived to make African Americans have the same justice as white Americans, they still feel much racism and prejudice against them today.

Description of African American Learners

Children in this culture often learn better in ways characterized by harmony, cooperation, affection, and socialization. They also show a preference for visual aids. These students are usually more dependent, spontaneous, open minded, and flexible.  There are four characteristics of the African American learners: socially affectionate, musical, expressive, and nonverbal.  Many African American students also prefer to study with light music or conversation. They like to maintain close proximity to students and are sensitive to and responsive to what others feel and think and how their actions might affect others.  faculty.tnstate.edu/bchristian1/morrispres.ppt