Introspection and Reflection
- Chapter Five begins with a reference to Billie Holiday and one of her famous songs. Obama continues to listen to a Billie Holiday album as he reflects upon his last two years of high school and his first two years at Occidental College. How does his feeling about the meaning of her singing change over the course of the chapter? What does he learn from listening to Billie Holiday and her style of singing? Have you ever had a similar experience with a song or singer? What was the song, who was the singer, and why is the song important to you?
- On page 103, Obama explains that he is reading Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness because it helps him “…understand just what it is that makes white people so afraid. Their demons. The way ideas get twisted around. It helps me understand how people learn to hate.” What book/s have you read recently that taught you something about human behavior? What did you learn? What will you continue to read in order to extend your knowledge?
Suggestions for Essays, Presentations, and Research Projects
- On pages 106-108, Obama describes his participation in a protest against South Africa’s apartheid policies. Using materials available in the Resources section, in an essay or presentation, explain why and how people protested against the apartheid policy. What do you think is the most effective form of social protest and why?
- In Chapter Five, Obama’s quest to understand himself and his place in the world continues. For parts of the chapter, he despairs of ever feeling at home anywhere, and sees himself as being always on the outside, but by the end of the chapter, he seems to be more comfortable with himself, and seems closer to figuring out how he wants to live his life. In an essay or presentation, please trace the changes that Obama goes through in this chapter. What are the events and people in his life that affect him and help him to find his path? What seems to be the most significant event, or the most important person, and why?
- In Chapter Five, Obama describes the first time he engaged in a civil rights protest. Please create a digital story in which you narrate an experience that you had at a protest march or other such event. Or, create your story about a protest event that you witnessed. The story could take place in your native country, in the U.S. or anywhere in the world. Be sure to provide the ambiance: What was the music like? What did the signs say? What did it feel like to be in the midst of a lot of people all striving to improve the conditions under which we live.
Useful Links for Further Research
African National Congress http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/about/umzabalazo.html
Apartheid http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561373/apartheid.html
Divestment and Protest Politics http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118520478/abstract