Outcomes & Objectives

Objectives To evaluate the situation in the USA for Black

people today. To revise the key events of the story of Black

people in the USA. To rank the 10 most important events in the

struggle, in order of importance in helping Black Americans get to the position they are in today.

Outcomes1. Study the information regarding Black Americans

today.2. Using evidence to support your opinions, state

whether Black Americans are in a better position than when some of the key events in the struggle occurred.

3. Choose the 10 most important events from the ‘story’ and rank them in order of important in helping Black Americans get to the position they’re in today.

Black Peoples of the USA (3): How have the

experiences of Black Peoples in the USA changed

from 1619 to 2003?

History Key Stage 3 Black Peoples of the USA

Task What is the situation like for Black Americans today?

Image: http://members.aol.com/fttbic/kingmalcolm.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jamesbyrd.jpg

James Byrd – murdered in 1998 by 3 white men who tied him to their truck and dragged him along the road. He was probably alive for much of it.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060206/060206_halledenzel_bcol_10a.standard.jpg

In 2003, two Black actors won the most important awards (Best Actor, Best Actress) at the Oscars.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/oj/art/synp.jpg

In 1995 American Football star O J Simpson was on trial for killing his wife. Millions had watched him on TV try to escape police when the body was discovered. He was found ‘Not Guilty’ by a jury with 9 Black people on it. Evidence against him was not allowed in court because the police officer who found it was a racist.

http://www.wfu.edu/wfunews/2004/images/powellprint.jpg

Colin Powell was Head of the US Army during the Gulf War. Afterwards he became a very high-ranking politician. The USA has never had a Black President.

http://www.docs.state.ny.us/PressRel/06CommissionerRpt/imagesL/20.jpg

In 1994, 12% of the US population was Black, while 58% of the people in prison in the USA were Black.

Also in 1994:

•White unemployment = 5% while Black unemployment = 11% (teenagers = 13% White unemployed, 25% Black)

•25% of Black men go to prison during their life.

•Black people who’ve been to university earn, on average, 75% of the money white graduates earn.

•The average White family earned $41000 per year; the average Black family earned $22000.

Information & statistics from: Clare, D. J., ‘The Black Peoples of America’, Hodder & Stoughton : Oxford, (2001), pages 44-45

http://www.downwindproductions.com/mamo.jpg

In 1991, 4 policemen were filmed beating up Rodney King as they arrested him. A mainly White jury found them ‘Not Guilty’. There were more riots in Los Angeles after the trial.

http://www.michael-jordan.ws/images/michael4.jpg

Michael Jordan is one of the greatest, and richest, sportsmen in world history. Many, many other Black athletes have also been hugely successful.

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/03/28/snoop_narrowweb__300x349,0.jpg

Black music such as rap, hip-hop and R’n’B currently rules the music charts, whilst Black fashions are also hugely popular amongst young people across the world.

TASK: Are Black Americans better off now than…

…they were in 1865? …they were in 1895? …they were in 1955? …they were in 1965? …they are today?

IMPORTANT – You must say why you think what you answer, and use evidence to support your opinion.

TASK: Your Black Americans’ Top Ten. Rank the ten most important events in the story of Black people in the USA getting to the position they are in today, with the most important event as No.1, and so on.