2. BELL WORK: Between Barack and a Hard Place  React to the following quote (4-5 sentences): “If we are taught--and we are, most all of us, irrespective of race or economic status--that anyone can make it if they try hard enough, then isn’t it to be expected that those who haven’t ‘made it’ will come to be viewed as ‘damaged,’ and as the source of their own sorry station in life?”  When President Barack Obama was elected, many felt that racism was dead and that the American Dream was finally true for all of our country’s citizens—no matter your skin color, culture or where you came from you can accomplish anything.  In this book, Tim Wise argues that our President is exceptional. The laws and policies for our criminal justice system, our education system and our workforce continue to oppress people of color, but President has been provided as proof that these obstacles are possible to overcome or they don’t exist. The statistics say otherwise.  Tim Wise also argues that it is the denial of white people that allows oppression to continue. He believes that if white people would simply acknowledge the ways in which they are privileged in society, and move beyond guilt and blame, then maybe they would use their social power to make our nation more equitable and empower people of color.

3. Agenda  Bell Work  Homework: HUGHES POST SEMINAR and SHORT QUIZ ON AMERICAN DREAM NOTES  Intro to Poem and Langston Hughes  Poem Read Aloud  Pre Sem Questions  Sem Goals/Round Robin  SEMINAR!

4. Langston Hughes

5. “Let America Be America”  I will read the poem. While I read the poem, feel free to make notes, underline, highlight, etc.  Then, SILENTLY, re-read the poem actively and make any additional notes or comments on your poem

6. Pre-Seminar Questions  With a partner, answer the pre-seminar questions.  These are basic questions about the poem, nothing super intense just yet. (You will see the juicy questions during seminar!)  We will review the answers to those questions as a class.

7. Seminar  Fill out INDIVIDUAL GOAL  Discuss GROUP GOAL  ROUND ROBIN QUESTION:  What ONE word best describes the THEME of this poem?

8. Debrief/HW  There is a page at the back of the packet called, “Post Seminar Reflection Homework”  Complete it and hand it in next class meeting  There is also an EXTRA CREDIT opportunity at the bottom of that sheet  Small American Dream Quiz next time!