A Raisin in the Sun

1 A Raisin in the Sun Introduction- Research assignment Directions: You will work in an assigned group on an assigned topic (see topics below). The group goal is to find background information as well as information concerning the physical and cultural setting of the play we are about to read, A Raisin in the Sun. The novel is set in Southside Chicago in the 1950s. Task: Your group will need to find at least 15 facts and a variety of photos about your topic. You will then create an Animoto presentation to bring the topic to life. You will also prepare a brief (6-10 minutes) presentation on your topic. You will introduce the video, show your video and then discuss the subject a little more and be prepared to answer any questions.

2 All members of the group must participate in the presentation. You need to be lively and know your subject well. Don t just repeat facts from the presentation. Be able to show some clear insight and understanding. Use the following question words to help you determine the most significant facts about your topic: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Topics: 1. Segregation/Jim Crow Laws History & Background 2. The Great Migration of African-Americans from the South that began around 1910 3. Race riots of 1919s (1920s) (Red Summer) including the Chicago riot 4. Chicago Housing in the 1950s 5. Chicago neighborhoods 6. Black nationalism vs.

3 Assimilationist 7. The role of women in the 1940s & 1950s 8. The history of A Raisin in the Sun and Lorraine Hansberry Your project must be complete and ready to present on Tuesday, Oct. 6th. See the attached rubric for how your presentation will be graded. 1) Segregation/Jim Crow Laws- History & Background - define/explain: Segregation - explain history reference to: Jim Crow Laws (provide examples & dates) - define/explain: Civil Rights (provide examples, leaders & dates) 2) The Great Migration Why did blacks leave the South and flee to the North? What kinds of reception did they get when they arrived in northern cities?

4 3) The Race Riots of 1919 (also known as Red Summer riots) When and where did the riots take place? What were some of the worst riots? Be sure to include a focus on Chicago, but also mention the other cities were violence was at its worst. Where were the social issues that helped fuel the violence? What was the response of the NAACP, especially James Weldon Johnson? 4) Life in Chicago in the 1950 s & 1960 s - Focus on Southside Chicago (if possible), including the area known as Bronzeville - Describe basic demographics in the City of Chicago during this decade- population, housing, workforce - Describe life in the city during this decade- important events?

5 People/locals? - Who were the city leaders during this time? Their beliefs? - What events/challenges were impacting Chicago & its citizens during this decade? - What major social issues were people discussing during this decade? - Research & list popular: musicians, songs, TV/radio programs, celebrities 5) Fair Housing/White Flight - Neighborhood integration, like school integration, has proven to be a long and painful process; there are still incidents of backlash against it today. - explain/trace the history of: neighborhood integration - define/explain: White Flight / Block Busting - define/explain: Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Rights o Explain a Housing Discrimination Complaint o Check out the website: HUD ( )-- Fair Housing o Include information on the efforts by Dr.

6 Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to lead a nonviolent struggle against segregated housing. This pits them against May Richard Daley. - Try to work in some local history with the segregation of Gary and the creation of Merrillville 6) Assimilationists/New Negroes/Black Nationalism - define/explain: assimilation (in reference to society) - define/explain: Melting Pot theory (in reference to society) - Who were the assimilationists ? - Who were the New Negroes ? - What was black nationalism? - Might want to tie in activists like: Malcolm X and/or Marcus Garvey beliefs? - What words or phrases mean the same thing as- assimilation?

7 (provide synonyms) - Why might someone condemn listening/singing Blues music as being an act of assimilation for African Americans? Explain. 7) Women in the 1950s/1960s - What were some common expectations for women during this time period in terms of: o Relationships marriage? sex? children? o Education o Finances o Career - What types of women went to college? - What kind of jobs did women have, especially black women? - Consider the following and if/how they had an impact on the lives of women during this time period: o Major news stories o Political events & leaders o Social problems/reforms - What styles/fashions were popular among women of this time period: o Hair o Clothing o Accessories - What were some of the issues facing women?

8 Birth control? Abortion, etc. 8) Lorraine Hansberry & Raisin in the Sun - Family background/history - Education - Life as a writer - Importance of A Raisin in the Sun - Death