Unit: Make Peace

Black Americans in the USA Sequence: Developing skills

Throughout America’s history, the hallmarks of American democracy – opportunity, freedom, and prosperity
have been largely reserved for white people through the intentional exclusion and oppression of black people.
In fact, Black Americans had nearly no rights, even their lives did not matter. Thanks to the great leader, Martin
Luther King, who could fight racism and establish equality between white and black people. Because of him, Black
Americans can do things that their parents could not do before because of racism. Now, they can vote, they can eat
in any restaurant they like, and even their children are able to go to schools.

As a homage, it is crucial to reproduce a part of his speech: “I say to you today, my friends. And so
even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted
in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of
its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one
day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to
sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in
a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have
a dream today! That we will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at
last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! ”

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Before You Read

 Task 1: skim through the text then choose the best answer:

 I expect the text to be about:

1-The death of a Black American leader.
2-The abolishment of Slavery.
3-Martin Luther King.

 His dream was :

1-To establish a free nation.
2 -To declare war.
3 -To achieve equality between both races.

 Was his dream realized ?

-Yes, it was.
- No, it was not.

As You Read

Task 1: Say Whether the following statements are true / false :

 Black Americans had the same rights as whites people

 Martin Luther king used violence to fight racism
 His dream was to see all Americans equal and free
 Task 2: Answer the following questions according to the text :

1- What are the things that Americans can do today ?

…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
2- Who is Martin Luther King ?
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………
3- How could Martin Luther King fight racism ?
…………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………….

After You Read

Task 1: Find in the text words that are close in meaning to :

Managed to (1) = Although (2)= Important (2) =

Task 2: Find in the text words that are opposites to:

Slavery §1≠ Duties §1≠

Task 3: Use the words in the box to fill in the gaps:

peace -- died -- liberation -- racism -- non-violence -- leader .

Martin Luther King was a black American................who founded the black

movement of …….………against...................He was called a man of…………….. ,
because he used……………..methods in his protest. He…………in 1964.

“Peace begins with a smile”

-Mother Teresa-