This Langston Hughes story introduces an often-overlooked element of the American racial debate. A community committee reverses a decision to award an arts scholarship to a promising high-school senior when they learn that she is colored. Her art teacher, who is of Irish descent, describes the discrimination and violence suffered by her people when they first arrived in the country. Although the girl didn’t win the award, she emerges from the experience stronger and even more determined to succeed. Themes: equality, the American Dream (defined in the story as liberty and justice for all), racial discrimination, injustice, resilience, determination, hope.
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I would like to know the LEARNING OBJECTIVES. I love this website because it is useful for rookie teachers.
Thank you and Much appreciated!!
Thank you for the kind words. If I were using this story in class, I would include a lesson or lessons on the points made about discrimination. The Learning Objectives would be something like this: Students will be able to discuss discrimination in the broader sense, understand that it is not always about race or color, and write a short paragraph about someone who has achieved success despite discrimination. This should include a thesis statement as well as a call to action.
Hope this helps.