Segment 2: Bringing African American Oratory to a Larger Audience

In the early decades of the 20th century, some black leaders like Marcus Garvey argued that black people should turn away from white society. In the 1940s, the advent of radio brought powerful speakers like Mary McLeod Bethune to a wide audience. In the 1960s, some activists lost faith in the slow pace of change. Includes Stokely Carmichael and the last speech by Martin Luther King Jr—given on the eve of his assassination.

Listening Comprehension Questions

Read the following questions, then listen to the second segment of "Say it Plain" to find the answers.
Listen to the second segment

1. According to Marcus Garvey, what steps should African Americans take in order to improve their lives?
   
   He wanted African Americans to migrate to Africa, where they could achieve higher status in business, politics, and society.
   
   
2. How did the advent of radio the audience for African American speeches during the middle of the twentieth century?
   
   By capturing live speeches and broadcasting them immediately to millions of people, radio made speeches accessible to broader audiences.
   
   
3. What First Lady was a close friend of Mary McLeod Bethune?
   
   Bethune was a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
   
   
4. According to James Cone, why did Mary McLeod Bethune promote racial justice by celebrating the core democratic principles such as equality, freedom, and courage?
   
   Bethune wanted to appeal to the sympathies of her white listeners-and thus enlist their support-without offending them.
   
   
5. What experience led Stokely Carmichael to reject the civil rights movement's goal of racial integration?
   
   When he worked for Martin Luther King, Jr. he had seen nonviolent civil rights protesters attacked in the South.
   
   
6. Why was Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee in April 1968?
   
   He traveled to Memphis to support a group of African American garbage collectors who were protesting their low wages.
   
   
7. Why was Martin Luther King Jr. aware that his life was in danger when he gave his last speech in April 1968?
   
   Numerous threats had been made on his life. He was urging his followers to continue the civil rights struggle even if he was no longer alive to lead it.
   
   

Answer key

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Key Terms and Topics

Terms

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