1. Voices of the past, hope for the future Poetic connections: to kill a mockingbird

2. The origins of “Strange Fruit”
Originated as a poem written by Jewish-American Abel Meeropol whose pseudonym is Lewis Allan.
English teacher, poet, and social activist
Disturbed by racisim, Meeropool saw a photograph of a lynching that left him emotionally scarred
Haunted by the image, he wrote “Strange Fruit.”
printed in a teachers’ union publication
An amateur composer, Meeropol also set his words to music. He played it for a New York club owner — who ultimately gave it to Billie Holiday.
finalized the poem in the late 1930s.

3. From Poem to Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs
In 1999, Time magazine named "Strange Fruit" the "song of the century."
The Library of Congress put it in the National Recording Registry.
The song & its poetic origins are a symbol of courage
Very “taboo” to discuss these topics (lynching) and certainly not encouraged to expose them

4. “Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.”
Notable Quote
“Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.”

5. Langston Hughes
One of the first African Americans to make a living solely on writing
Novelist, playwright, poet, essayist
Writing focuses on poor and working-class African Americans
Keeps his language direct in poetry
Drew his writing inspiration from jazz and blues music
Used the rhythm and repetition of musical forms to influence the structure in his poetry

6. The Harlem Renaissance
Celebration of African American culture
Centered around the creative arts
the most influential movement in African American literary history.
The Harlem district of NYC served as the symbolic capital of this cultural awakening
Sought to redefine “the negro” and abolish white stereotypes
Changed how their race was viewed; paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement

7. Terminology to know Metaphor Imagery Tone Symbolism Alliteration
Personification
Free Verse
Rhyme Scheme
Irony
Juxtaposition: the placement of two concepts, descriptions or words side by side or figuratively next to each other.

8. Choral Dramatization
Consider: Pitch, pace, echo reading, handclapping, and alternate line reading
Which lines will be read in unison?
How will lines be divided among group members?
What voice will be used to bring meaning to the presentation?
What gestures, sounds, rhythms can be added to the presentation?