Sound Learning Monthly Feature: Say it Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches

Say it Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches

Sound Learning Feature for February 2005

From American Public Media's American RadioWorks

This month we revisit a special from American Public Media's American RadioWorks.

When the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech is broadcast each February to mark Black History Month, the magnetic cadence of his words is almost impossible to resist. King was a remarkable orator, but he was hardly alone. He was nurtured in a centuries-old African American tradition of spoken narrative and oral persuasion. Sound Learning's February feature takes this tradition and puts it in an academic context, illuminating students to the profound effect African American oratories have in our shared history.

The articles in this month's feature are of particular interest to teachers and students of American history, political science, and civics.

Click on these links to find instructional ideas and study guides for the material on the American RadioWorks site.

Segment 1: Tracing the Impact of African American Speechmaking
Listen (15:30)

Reading Comprehension

Key Terms and Topics

Segment 2: Bringing African American Oratory to a Larger Audience
Listen (18:30)

Listening Comprehension

Key Terms and Topics

Segment 3: Speeches from Positions of Power
Listen (26:00)

Listening Comprehension

Critical Thinking

Research Challenges

Key Terms and Topics

The student exercises provided this month are based on the American RadioWorks Feature: Say it Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches.

"Say it Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches"

Segment 1: Tracing the Impact of African American Speechmaking

Fannie Lou Hamer, "Testimony Before the Credentials Committee, Democratic National Convention"

Segment 2: Bringing African American Oratory to a Larger Audience

Segment 3: Speeches from Positions of Power

Barbara Jordan, "Statement at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Hearings"

Say it Plain (Full documentary)

Curriculum created by Urbana, IL teachers

Download this feature to print
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What are monthly features?

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