1. Black History Month: Time to learn about the ground we stand upon.

2.  Before we begin our next piece, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, I wanted to share something else with you. The Souls of Black Folks by W.E.B. Dubois

3.  As you listen to this introduction I want you to take some time and respond to the following questions: What do you enjoy about Black History Month? What does being Black mean to you? Turn these in after you have completed them.

4. Who was Harriet Jacobs?

5.  Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery in 1813 near Edenton, North Carolina.  Jacobs died in Washington, D.C., in 1897.  At the age of 6 her mother passed away. She was then taken in by her father’s mistress who taught her to read, write and sew.  When Ms. Horniblow died Harriet was then willed to her niece at age 12. That is where her life began to change.

6.  Her new adopted mistress’ father, Dr. James Norcom (“Dr. Flint” in Incidents), subjected Jacobs to aggressive and unrelenting sexual harassment.  At age sixteen, Jacobs began a relationship with a white neighbor, Samuel Tredwell Sawyer (“Mr. Sands” in Incidents).  She had two children while still in her teens  In 1835, Jacobs was sent away to a life of hard labor on a plantation where her children could possibly become field hands.

7.  To escape slavery Jacobs hid in her grandmother’s attic for 7 years where she was unable to sit or stand. She permanently suffered from this.  In 1861, the year the Civil War began, Jacobs publishedIncidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself, under the pseudonym Linda Brent.

8.  Define all of the bolded words in the story. These definitions should include the word, part of speech, a definition and 1 original sentence.

9.  For this assignment, I would like you to take the role of a newspaper reporter.  It is your job to interview an older family member who has been a part of some event in history. (For example: The Civil Rights Movement, Death of JFK)  Ask them any questions that you like as long as you walk away with an understanding of what it was like to be there.

10.  What you turn into me should include a typed copy of your interview, a cover page and your response to the following question: After interviewing your family member what do you believe the saying, “You never know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been” means?  This response should be at least 25 sentences. (7 words per sentence min.)