CHICAGO METRO HISTORY FAIR

2017 SUMMARY STATEMENT FORM

Attach an annotated bibliography (AB) that is divided between primary and secondary sources.
Submit two copies of the SS and the AB at the competition. Please type.

Student name(s) ______Briesa Connors and Maddie Fernandez___________________________

Title ______Africobra: Taking a Stand in Unity______________________________
Check if applicable (and respond to question 3)
This project uses the 2017 National History Day theme, Taking a Stand in [Chicago/IL] History.
Project Category:
Exhibit

Website

Student composed
Word-Count:

Student composed
Word-Count:

Paper
Total word count
(Excluding
citations):

Documentary
Time:

Performance
Time:

1. THESIS STATEMENT
Present the projects argument or interpretation in two sentences. If you are using the NHD theme, you might want to
make it evident in your thesis statement.

Through the research of the visual arts created by AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists)
during the 60s, it is clear that their art conveys clear messages of empowerment and unification that helped bring the
African-American community of Chicago and Illinois together against the unjust treatment they endured.

2. SUMMARY OF PROJECT
Briefly explain your project and its conclusion. Include: How and why did change happen and what was the impact?
Why is it historically significant? What historical meaning or importance can we learn from your findings?
This movement helped create a sense of community for the African-Americans in Chicago, and it helped call for a
change in the way that they treat each other and how they accept being treated. It made them want to call for a
change in society, and thus brought on their revolution and protests against the injustices of racism.

3. Required for projects using the National History Day theme only.
Explain how this project integrates the NHD theme Taking a Stand in [Chicago/IL] History into its argument.
This project looks at the use of art as a medium in which people take a stance against harsh and unjust environments and
conditions they face. This stance was not one layered but was composed of different layers each dealing with problems
within their communities and the way they uplifted themselves. This was a stance against the negative self perceptions
they had and turn them around to become positive.

4. PROCESS
A. What historical question did you start off withand how did it change once you began doing your research?
Who did Africobra take a stand against?

This changed into What did Africobra take a stand against? As a result of the various different elements
that the manifesto they held used. This really helped put into perspective how peaceful and life changing their work was
and how it really impacted communities.
B. What kinds of sources did you use as evidence to develop your argument (for example, letters, photographs,
government documents, interviews, etc.)?
We used a mixture of interviews, articles, photographs and mainly the art created by Africobra. These
sources gave us variety and helped created a strong conclusion and thesis based on various perspectives and
examples of the art.
C. Select one piece of evidence that you used and explain how it influenced your argument.

Both of these artworks helped show us that this was a movement of empowerment and support for AfricanAmericans, and it was made to help give themselves a voice and create an uplifting community.
D. List libraries (other than school), museums, and other institutions that you visited to do your research.
We visited the DuSable Museum.