1.Things to Consider Before Watching I Am Not Your Negro
QUESTION 1. What role does violence play in American history? In world history? When is violence perceived as acceptable? When is it not?
QUESTION 2. What is the legacy of slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow in our culture? How do these historical institutions affect contemporary society?
2. Things to Consider After Watching I Am Not Your Negro
Media Literacy/ Film Studies
QUESTION 1. Throughout the film, there are moments where seemingly random visuals appear on screen. For instance, young co-eds running in the sun, beautiful pastorals and sunsets – at one point there is footage of a rocket going into outer space. Why do you think the filmmaker made this artistic choice? What might these different images represent in the context of this film?
The Civil Rights Movement and Race Relations in America
QUESTION 2 How did the film portray the struggle for school integration – the importance of school and access to books and learning – as well as the vitriol surrounding the effort to integrate?
Literature, Art and Culture
QUESTION 3. What significance does Baldwin give to the historical image of black slaves “singing songs on the levee?” What does he mean when he says “They require a song to justify my captivity and to justify their own.”
3. Questions for Further Discussion
QUESTION 1. The film begins with Baldwin saying “a journey is called that because you cannot know what you will discover on the journey, what you will do with what you find, or what you find will do to you.” Explore the literary meaning of “journey” within the context of this film. What are some of the various literal and figurative journeys that are depicted in the film?
4.Extension Activities”: Choose one of the organization activity options and go to the link provided for that organization. After exploring the website, reflect on what you learned or discovered. What is the organization’s mission statement? What is their history/background? What role does the organization play in working toward freedom and justice for people of Afrikan descent?
The National Urban League has many programs to protect civil rights and fight racism in America’s cities. Check out their national and local initiatives and learn how to get involved here: com/programs-and-initiatives“>http://iamempowered.com/programs-and-initiatives
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