English 9 9-22-15 OBJECTIVE: SWBAT understand how Lorraine Hansberry came to write A Raisin in the Sun at this particular time in history. ACTIVATOR: What can you infer about the following picture? HOMEWORK: In one paragraph or more, explain why Lorraine Hansberry was influenced to write at this time in history.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Historical Context

Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) Americans fighting for equality across race and gender lines Focus on nonviolence Black Americans and their struggle for recognition and power

Desegregation of schools and other public places a major goal Right to live and work where you choose Getting rid of “separate but equal” Established before the Civil War Meant that Blacks and Whites could be segregated so long as there were equivalent facilities for both races

Little Rock Nine: School Desegregation

Separate but Equal? Black students requested to attend an all-white school and were granted their request Arkansas governor attempted to stop them by putting soldiers around the school, but President Eisenhower took charge of the soldiers, requiring them instead to protect the students Students were spit at, yelled at, and tormented by adults When the public saw these pictures, they began to realize that “separate but equal” was not equal at all

http://www.teachertube.com/video/little-rock-9-196454

Nonviolence

Nonviolence refusing to engage in violent acts, even if others are committing violent acts against you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a proponent of this, and he even died for it

Nonviolent Protest

Nonviolent Protest Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus strike For a year, many Blacks boycotted the Montgomery bus system, eventually forcing them to get rid of segregation on buses Lunch counter sit-ins

Instructions for Protest Do not respond to words spoken to you. Do not look at anyone who says something to you. Act with honor and dignity. If anyone physically harms you, do not retaliate. Do not talk among yourselves or with other people on the sidewalk.

Freedom Riders: Coming Together

Afrocentrism The idea that all culture and humanity began in Africa and extended outwards to the rest of the continents Sought to recapture and instill pride in Black culture Still taught today in some schools around the country

Afrocentrism (cont.) Fought against “Eurocentric” ways of thinking Many wanted to move to Africa to recapture their origins Believed America had failed in granting equality and would never be a home

Liberia Marcus Garvey, a prominent Black leader of the 1920’s and 1930’s, began encouraging Blacks to move here Wanted to create an ideal home for Blacks who had been stolen from their homeland Some felt that this was not a solution, that more action needed to be taken to help matters at home

Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry Raised in Chicago Academic parents Youngest playwright, fifth woman, and only Black artist to receive NY Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play First Black female to have a play produced on Broadway

A Raisin in the Sun Inspired by her childhood growing up in a White neighborhood Opened on Broadway in 1959 First play to portray Black characters on stage in a realistic way No stereotypes Typical American family One of the few plays at that time that had strong female characters

Meet the Younger Family

The Younger Family Mama Younger – matriarch of the family, widow Walter Younger – named after his father, wants to open a business Ruth Younger – Walter’s wife, struggling to find a way to help Walter be happy Beneatha Younger – Walter’s sister, educated, wants to be a doctor Travis Younger – Walter and Ruth’s son

Setting Chicago, between the end of World War II and 1959 A small apartment on the South Side of Chicago

Exit Question: Why would Hansberry be able to have her play produced at this time but not earlier?