History Assignments: Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the unique female perspectives about slavery as offered by Jacobs and Truth, and why it was, and still is, necessary to differentiate between male and female experiences during slavery.
2. Explore the theme of Christian hypocrisy in Douglass’s narrative. Why do you believe it was important for him to note this? What does his account say about atrocities committed in the name of religion that are still pervasive today?
3. Discuss the philosophies of Washington and DuBois as they pertain to black progress. Share which solution you believe was the most applicable and why, and/or how both philosophies have equal merit.
3b. In Wells-Barnett’s chapter, “The Black and White of It”, she discussed the role that race plays in crime. Describe the hypocrisy she outlined and how it compares to current discussions about race and crime in America.
4. Mr. Ryder was faced with the dilemma of acknowledging a part of his past that, in the eyes of society, was incompatible with the new life he created. Share if you agree or disagree with Mr. Ryder’s decision regarding Liza Jane. Does the same dilemma of relationships and social status occur today? How?
5. Choose 1-2 poems or Hughes’ “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”. Explore their meaning and how you may relate to the content and/or how your selection(s) reflects real life situations.
5b. In “Sweat”, Hurston tells the story of abuse and survival. Discuss Delia’s psychological abuse and how it eventually transformed her.
6. Share your thoughts about the approaches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Do you agree or disagree with their respective philosophies? Why?
6b. Explain why it is important for female writers to explore the topics of abuse, race, and identity in their writing. Please select two of the following authors found in this unit: Walker, Morrison, and Smith.
6c. In The Tides That Bind, Bread tried to better his life after his release from prison. Discuss how his example defies negative stereotypes about black men and how the messages contained in “The Message” and “Sound of Da Police” may have informed Bread’s reality.