What defines the American Dream? Ask students for answers and ideas?

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” -every citizens unalienable/legal rights Ask where they’ve seen this quote before? Click for answer Ask students what it means? Ask students Do you think true for all citizens? Why/Why not? Do you think all citizens have the capabilities to pursue their dreams? Why/Why not? Where/When was/is this not the case? -The United States Declaration of Independence

A US federal law that made everyone born in the America full citizens. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 "All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other." Ask students What is the Civil Rights Act of 1866 Click for answer – ask a student to read the Act Ask students What does this mean and Why was it implemented? Click for answer Do you think this is the case today? How long ago do you think it was not the case? A US federal law that made everyone born in the America full citizens.

Southern United States still exploiting and segregating by race into the 1960s African-Americans went North for a better life – to live “the American dream” only to find the similar exploitation and frustration Ask students Did you know that in the Southern parts of the United States as recently as the ’60s: Click What types of discrimination do you think they found? (jobs, housing, schools, etc.)

May 17, 1954 July 2, 1964 August 10, 1965 September 24, 1965 The Supreme Court rules on the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas, unanimously agreeing that segregation in public school is unconstitutional July 2, 1964 President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation. August 10, 1965 Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and other such requirements that were used to restrict black voting are made illegal. September 24, 1965 Asserting that civil rights laws alone are not enough to remedy discrimination, President Johnson issues Executive Order 11246, which enforces affirmative action for the first time. It requires government contractors to "take affirmative action" toward prospective minority employees in all aspects of hiring and employment. April 11, 1968 President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Click on each of 5 bullets – have a student read each one

A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of the Younger family’s struggling to realize the dream by escaping ghetto life a life of African-Americans who have few choices in a white society reflects the racial attitudes of the 1950s In our story, we will see these discriminations and how a family struggles through them Click click

Place: Chicago’s South Side Setting: Time: 1950s Place: Chicago’s South Side Ask students What is setting? Click - Ask students Do you know anyone today who was alive during the 50s? Ask them if they remember any type of racial discrimination and/or gov’t acting to stop it. Click – Ask students Have you ever been to Chicago? If so, what part and what was it like? What do you think the Southside was like in the 50s?

What happens to a dream deferred? THINK: What happens to a dream deferred? Ask what a dream deferred means? What happens to a dream deferred? Click What happens to a raisin left in the sun? How might this be like a dream deferred? What do you think will happen in the story or what do you think the story will be about now that we’ve discussed the title? Tell students: We’re going to look at a series of pics of Chicago’s Southside during the 50s and 60s. As were viewing them, think to yourself about the people who lived there and the people in the pictures and what type of emotional responses the pics bring to you. Does it dry up like “a raisin in the sun”?

“Dream Deferred” What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar over— Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Langston Hughes Have a student read the poem. Discuss the analogy of a sore, rotten meat, a syrupy treat, sagging like a heavy load, or explosion? What types of deferred dreams might cause these reactions? Think about a dream you may have had at one point, or even do now – what happened when it wasn’t brought to fruition? How did you feel? How did you react? What about a dream someone you know had? What does this poem say? What is the structure of this poem? What images does this poem create in your mind? What emotions does this poem evoke? What meaning can be found in this poem?