James Baldwin "Letter to My Nephew"

here is the link: Click here/video of Chris Rock
Choose 1 of the 2 assignments (if you want to do both for extra-credit label one as the "extra-credit")
Assignment #1:
Below are the questions:
1. Is James Baldwin really only talking to his nephew?
2. How can we relate the message Baldwin is trying to relate to his nephew to modern day society?
3. What is Baldwin trying to say about society?
4. Are we "celebrating one hundred years of freedom one hundred years too early"?
5. Do you agree that showing love towards the ignorant is the way to go?

Assignment #2:
Write a letter of about 2-3 paragraphs in which you explain a current world or societal problem to a young child (either real or imagined). Be sure to give him or her advice on what to expect in his/her future and advice on how to deal with it.

"A Brother's Murder" by Brent Staples

We are moving on to the next text in our series entitled "A Brother's Murder" (this is by the same author who wrote "Black Men and Public Space").
Today we will:
1. Begin by watching a brief interview with the author (Brent Staples video)
2. Give a first read of "A Brother's Murder" as a group annotating as you read
3. Find the following vocabulary words: Circle them and write the corresponding definitions in the margins
Par 1:
posturing -behave in a way that is intended to impress or mislead others
assailant-an "attacker"
Par 2:
wrenched-pull or twist suddenly/violently
mortality-state of being subject to death
brash-self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way
Par 3 (page 202):
affluent-having money/wealthy
paranoia-extreme mistrust of people and their actions
machismo-strong or aggressive masculine pride
Par 4:
ensconced-settle in a comfortable, safe, or secret place
Par 5:
desolate-empty of people; bare
idle-avoiding work;lazy
embittered-feel bitter or resentful
forays-a sudden attack into enemy territory
Par 8:
earnestly-showing intention, purpose, or effort
recurrent-occurring often or repeatedly

Exit Visa/Ticket out the door: Please use RACE strategy in your responses (restate/answer/cite/explain)

**Why do you think Brent Staples chose to write about the experience of losing his brother? Don't just guess, but think about the reading. What is his main point? Remember it's from a larger piece called Parallel Time.

**What are your feelings on this piece in comparison with "Black Men and Public Space"? (Some people may have more emotional reactions than others because of their own real-life experiences and that is ok). What sections left a lasting impression on you?

Brent Staples Day 2

Please start by writing down the vocabulary definitions for this piece. For HOMEWORK, write 10 meaningful sentences:
"Black Men and Public Space" Vocabulary List
1. retrospect (n)--a review of past events
2. perilous (adj)--full of danger or risk
3. elicit--(v)--to draw out (a feeling, response, act, etc.)
4. taut--(adj)--pulled tight; tense
5. congenial--(adj)--pleasant because of a personality similar to one's own
6. dismay--(v)--stress caused by something unexpected
7. berth--(n)--a space large enough to pass by (as a ship needs in water)
8. credentials--(n)--a quality, personal achievement, etc. needed to indicate you are suitable for something
9. affluent--(adj)--having a great deal of money/wealth
10. alienation--(n)--the feeling of being isolated or excluded from a group 

Examples:

• I have credentials so I can go to Canada. (NO! replace)
• Credentials are things you need so you can be suitable for something. (NO! dictionary)
• My friend said I have credentials. (NO! pointless)
• I have the necessary credentials to apply for the job because I have worked as a cashier already. (Yes! meaningful)

You will have the rest of class today to finish your questions with your group--PLEASE TALK OUT THE ANSWERS WITH EACH OTHER. They do not have to be in RACE strategy, but at least full sentences. Here are a few changes to the questions: Skip the "Issues" section
#5. should say paragraph 6
#6 should say paragraph 11
#7 should say paragraph 12

Brent Staples mini-unit

"Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples  audio

As we listen to the audio, please annotate the following:

1. Put a star (*) next to interesting sentences or ideas

2. Put a question mark (?) next to things you find confusing

3. Circle or highlight unknown vocabulary words

QUESTIONS ON “BLACK MEN AND PUBLIC SPACE”

THE FACTS

1.  What does Staples mean in paragraph 2 by “the ability to alter public space?”

2.  What does he learn from his encounter with a white woman as recalled in paragraphs

     1 and 2?

3.  What other anecdotes does Staples use to illustrate the problem of “black men and

     public space?”

4.  What is the essay’s thesis?

5.  What “truths” does the author describe in paragraph 5, and how does this paragraph

     help him advance his thesis?

6.  In paragraph 10, the author claims that “Black men trade tales like this all the time.” 

     To what kinds of tales is he referring?  How does including that sentence help him

     accomplish his purpose?

7.  Why has he forced himself “to smother the rage [he] felt at so often being taken for a

     criminal?  (paragraph 11)

8.  Who are Beethoven and Vivaldi?  Why does Staples whistle their music?

THE STRATEGIES

1.  Besides illustration, what methods of development does the author employ?

2.  Staples begins with an anecdote.  Discuss the effectiveness of this story as an

     introductory device.

3.  The thesis of the essay is implied.  Would the essay have been more effective if it had

     been explicit?  Explain.

4.  Staples’ tone is remarkably subdued.  Discuss the reason(s) behind his adopting such

     a tone.  Should he have expressed more emotion?

THE ISSUES

1.  Is Staples’ experience unique from his perspective as a large, tall black man?  Explain.

2.  Staples handles his rage in a rather unique way.  What is it?

3.  What does Staples’ subdued tone tell you about his character?

4.  Do you think we make false assumptions that people are up to no good if they are on

     the street late at night, even if they have a good reason for doing so?  Before you know

     his reason for being out late at night, why do you think he was out late?

5.  If you had been in Staples’ situation, how would you have handled it?

6.  Would Staples have been successful in his profession is he had remained in Chester,

     Pennsylvania, his hometown?  Why or why not?

"In Search of our Mothers' Garden's" by Alice Walker---extra-credit

Today you are responsible for:

1. Finishing the "Everyday Use" questions

2. Completing the quick write for "Everyday Use"

3. Turning in your essay for Julius Caesar by 11:59 pm tonight

(ALSO very few of you have completed DBA #2 which counts as a quiz grade)

video link on Alice Walker

Read the Alice Walker except, "In Search of our Mothers' Gardens" on pages 522-523 of the textbook, and begin answering the questions below the picture (you do not have to copy the questions)

Questions: Must Use RACE when possible for extra-credit
1. What work did Walker's mother do?
2. Why were her mother's stories so often incomplete?
3. In what ways does Walker say that her mother was an artist?
4. What portrait of Walker's mother do you get from this essay? Give a few words to describe her and examples of her actions to support your description.
5. What does her mother's garden represent, or symbolize to Walker? What does it represent to Walker's mother?

Help for the Quick Write

Help for the Quick Write (note: this is just a model--you do not have to follow this
word for word by any means) NOTE: THISIS JUST ONE WAY TO SET IT UP

 In the short-story by Alice Walker entitled, "Everyday Use," the author gives the reader vivid characterization of the 3 women: Mama, Dee (Wangero), and Maggie. This characterization helps the reader understand the characters' feelings about their heritage.
  The author characterizes Mama as a _____________ kind of person. This is seen in Mama's description of herself when she states, __________________. This show that ______________________. Another word that would describe Mama is ______________. This is true because ______________________________ as seen in the following lines _____________.
  Alice Walker characterizes Dee as ______________. This is shown through her mother's point of view when she describes Dee as _________________. This explains _____________________. Dee can also be considered by the reader to be ______________. This is seen when she returns as "Wangero" in the second half of the story. She explains to the family, ________________. This shows us that ______________________.
  On the other hand, Dee's sister  Maggie is considered by her mother to be ________________. This is seen when she tells the reader _______________________. This explains her feelings because ____________________. She is also described as ____________________ as seen in the following lines, ___________________. This informs the reader that ________________.
  This characterization affects the way each one sees the family's heritage. Mama and Maggie value_______ while Dee seems to value _________. We see evidence of this __________________________.
  Alice Walker's characterization of: Mama, Dee, and Maggie, gives the audience a clear view of the characters and each one's view on heritage, one of the major themes of the story.

Quick Write "Everyday Use"

After you finish questions 7-11, complete the following quick write:
Quick Write Topic for "Everyday Use" (8 pts.)
T-"Everyday Use"
A-Alice Walker
G-short-story

Question: Alice Walker provides the audience with many examples to characterize the 3 women in the story "Everyday Use": Mama, Dee (Wangero), and Maggie. 

• Use a minimum of 1-2 adjectives (not just any--but the most important adjectives) to describe each of the 3 characters throughout the story. 
• Give thoughtful textual evidence and explain how it shows the given adjective(s).
•  Explain how characterization shapes each character's view on the family's heritage.