To Be a Slave

Julius Lester wrote To Be a Slave during the civil rights movement. Research the American civil rights movement and Lester’s activism. Create a timeline of important events. Position the publication of To Be a Slave (1968) on your timeline. What are some likely contributing reasons that Lester compiled this text during the civil rights movement?

 Before discussing this question, consider the following points:

• What were the aims of the civil rights movement? How do they link to the content of Lester’s text?
• What argument does Lester make concerning Continued Racial Injustice in the United States after the Emancipation Proclamation?
• How is the use of primary sources important in grappling with this continued injustice?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful to invite students to recall their responses to the Personal Connection Prompt as they contextualize Lester’s text during his time of writing. The education/re-education of individuals regarding the importance of equality for all was a cornerstone of the civil rights movement. Lester’s text would have been instrumental in this re-education, as he wrote the content for an audience of younger readers and used primary sources.

Differentiation Suggestion: For classes without extensive background on the civil rights movement, this prompt may be used as an opportunity to introduce/review both the aims and notable leaders of the movement.