1. “equal opportunity”

2. STEP 1…
Silently read the poem and make notes about things that “catch your attention” or make you ask questions.

3. Share your notes with your group members.
STEP 2…
Share your notes with your group members.

4. As a group, read through the poem and
STEP 3…
As a group, read through the poem and
highlight words that you all do not
understand.
Each member of the group should define
a word(s).
-You may use a device or dictionary.

5. STEP 4… Read through the poem and highlight, in a different color,
key ideas/words that support the overall meaning of the
poem.
a. Indicate who the oppressed people are and who the oppressors are in the poem. How do you know?
b. Examine the lines “after much debate / common sense prevailed”. What does this line mean? Who is it describing?
c. How is this poem ironic? (look up the definition of the word “irony” if you need to).

6. STEP 5…
The writer uses humour to tell how Chinese people achieved a degree of social equality in Canada. Humour is one strategy that enables people to deal with uncomfortable, unpleasant, or unfair situations. How does the writer create a humorous tone in this poem?

7. What is unusual about the typography of the poem?
STEP 6…
What is unusual about the
typography of the poem?
Why do you think Jim Wong-Chu
chose this particular format? 

8. STEP 7… Choose ONE and write your response in your journal.
1. How are the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Wong-Chu’s
poem similar to the experiences of African-Americans during the
time of Jim Crow laws?
2. “equal opportunity” and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry deal with the issue of discrimination; how is this issue similar and different in both texts?
3. How does each author address the issue of racism? Cite evidence to support your answer.