Transcript Watsons
The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 This historical-fiction novel by Christopher Paul Curtis was written in 1995 and republished in 1997. It tells the story of a loving African-American family, living in the town of Flint, Michigan in 1963. When the oldest son begins to get into a bit of trouble, the parents decide he should spend some time with his strict grandmother, Grandma Sands, (Mrs. Watson's mother) in Birmingham, Alabama. The entire family travels there together by car, and during their visit, tragic events take place that affect them collectively. Although the Watson family is fictitious, the story incorporates and centers on the historically factual 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, a critical catalyst of the American civilrights movement. Later in 2013, a movie based on the book of the same name was released (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). The Watson Challenge Create a poster to display in our classroom Emulate the author’s style of writing Read text and take accurate notes Research important historical events The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: Introduction Kenny has problems. The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: Introduction His friend stole his toys. His older brother, Byron, is mean to him. And he thinks his lazy eye makes him look funny. Kenny’s parents have decided that Byron needs to spend a summer in Birmingham with his grandmother, who’ll teach him how to behave. Kenny thinks this sounds too good to be true. Will one of his problems really go away? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY4jbYNTmKs One day Kenny’s family decides to take a cross-country trip from Michigan to Alabama. But in Birmingham, Kenny’s problems collide with America’s problems. Historical Resources Report to the American People on Civil Rights, 11 June 1963 CBS motion picture excerpt containing President John F. Kennedy’s full radio and television report to the American people on civil rights. http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/TNC-262-EX.aspx Video of Children’s March In Birmingham, Alabama http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/04/26/april-26-2013-birmingham-and-the-childrens march/16051/ PBS NewsHour: Freedom Riders Discuss 50th Anniversary of Protest Movement Interview of two women Freedom Riders discussing their experiences http://video.pbs.org/video/1922856991/ Growing up under Jim Crow in Birmingham, Alabama http://video.pbs.org/video/2227535292/ Civil Rights March on Washington http://archive.org/details/CivilRightsMarch One-minute video with George Wallace saying, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” http://www.wyzant.com/help/history/hpol/wallace/segregation The 1963 March on Washington civil rights rally MLK, John Lewis and clergymen exemplify the diversity of the march, indicating the importance of community, support and collective action. http://www.dvarchive.com/stock-footage/000-3946/ Children’s march, protesting, courageously being arrested, attack dogs being used against patrons, all to the backdrop of MLK’s speech. http://fastimages.net/films/movie.jsp?id=205794 Extended clip of MAJOR moments of Civil Rights Movement, incorporating all major moments. http://www.myfootage.com/search.php?search=bull+connor&match_type=all Singing “we shall overcome” with the newscast V.O, and MLK’s speech. http://fastimages.net/films/movie.jsp?id=88586 Josephine Baker “Speech at the March on Washington,” 1963 http://www.blackpast.org/?q=1963-josephine-baker-speech-march-washington After Reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham, you will answer the following questions. Since 1963, how has the United States made progress in fighting racism and discrimination? Where do barriers between ethnic groups still exist? What can you do to break down these barriers? What effects do you think the church bombing had on members of the civil rights movement? How would you have responded to the bombing, if you were in Birmingham at the time? What political actions or ideas today affect your family? How have they affected you? The Watsons’ favorite Music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY4jbYNTmKs to show Straighten Up and Fly Right and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cHB3Rbz1OI for Yakety Yak