Blog 21: Making Connections

For the past two days, your class has viewed the I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings film and responded to teacher-constructed questions during your viewing; all participating students received credit for these worksheets.

Now it is your turn to develop questions and make connections between the film and book! With a partner or individually, post five questions you realized you had about Marguerite's story from viewing the film--a question can be formed from something you were wondering about. After you have developed your questions, find the answers in the book! Challenge: Cite quotations to support your answers. Include page number.

1. Q: Why do Bailey and Marguerite live with Mrs. Henderson and Willie?

A: Bailey and Marguerite's parents "put an end to their calamitous marriage (Angelou 5)." Their father sent them to his mother.

2. Q: Why do Bailey and Marguerite travel to Stamps, Arkansas on their own?

A: "A porter had been charged with our welfare (Angelou 5)." He then preceded to leave the train the next day in Arizona, forcing Bailey and Marguerite to travel on their own.

3. Q: How did Marguerite get her nickname Maya?

A: When Bailey was less than three years old he learned that Maya, whose birth name is Marguerite, was his sister, and he began calling her “Mya sister” and then simply “My,” which later morphed into “Maya.” (Angelou 68)

4. Q: Why does Maya finally say what happened to her in the hospital?

A: "Bailey told me that I had to tell who did that to me, or the man would hurt another little girl. (Angelou 83)" Bailey convinces Maya to finally reveal what she has been holding in.

5. Q: Why did Mrs. Flowers appeal to Marguerite?

A:"She appealed to me because she was like people I had never met personally. (Angelou 95)" Maya thought she was like a woman in an English novel.

Blog 20: Segregation Presented in Chapter 8

There was such a huge dividing line between the African-American community of Stamps, AK, and the Caucasian community that even the Depression affected them differently. The Caucasian people were richer, and spent their money very freely. The African-American people were already desperately poor, and barely had the resources to keep themselves alive, let alone buy luxury items. So, when the Depression hit, the Caucasian community was affected first, then slowly, it drizzled down to the African-American community.

Answer the five questions from the handout distributed in class.

Then, share in this post whether you would have preferred to be an African-American or Caucasian during the Depression in Stamp, AK, as described in the book.

The Depression impacted the Black Community of Stamps. Though it was difficult to find supplies and money for life. The Black community did not have a lot of money. The Black community still were generous and shared their items. It did not alter their view on life, they still kept the same values, they were still generous. The white community used to gave some money, which made them, "most enviable," but now their lifestyle has changed. "Stamps was as slow coming out of the depression as it had been getting into it (p. 51)."

I believe I would better off in the Black community at this time because you did not have to change your lifestyle, they still lived the same.

Blog 19: Angelou's Life ,Times, and Message

During our class today, many facts were shared about Maya Angelou: her life, time period, and overall message of her works. Additionally, a definition of racism was shared as well as past and present instances of racism in United States society.

For each category, share one fact you learned from the informative groups' presentations today:

1: Time Period: African-American Experience in U.S., 1930s & 1940s

2: Maya Angelou: Biography

3: Racism: What is it? How has it occurred in the U.S.?

4: Maya Angelou: Works & Publications

5: Racism: Where does it still exist in the U.S.?

One fact should be shared for each category. Five facts should be in complete sentences. Feel free to share more than one fact that caught your attention. If you were absent today, Tues., 2.03.10, research this information on your own to complete this blog posting.

Time Period:

The United States was still segregated, with Jim Crow Laws.

Maya Angelou: Biography

Maya was born in St. Louis in 1928. In 1944, she was the first African American female trolley conductor. She committed to writing and to working in the civil rights movement.

Racism: What is it? How has it occurred in the U.S.?

Race is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. The United States segregated schools, and other public places.

Maya Angelou: Works & Publications

She wrote "I know why the Caged Bird Sings", an autobiography.

Racism: Where does it still exist in the U.S.?

Racism occurs in the media. The media has stereotyped african-americans, with criminal activity.