I have been teaching a class through Story Circle Network called, “Exploring Prejudice with the Help of Five Acclaimed Black Women Writers.” We are in our second week, and in Week One we focused on Zora Neale Hurston and this week on Toni Cade Bambara. Over the next three weeks, we’ll cover Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Roxane Gay. I am selecting short pieces from each of these women to include in the syllabus since reading their novels (which are wonderful) would be too much for this very short 5-week course. However, as I research these notable Black women authors, I must say that I am not only in love with their work but also with each of them and their courage, willingness to stand up for their truth and their passion for life. I feel myself growing exponentially just being exposed to their stories, essays and poetry. Wow. This is a wonderful part of teaching. You get to learn so much as part of your job. Yahoo.
I wish I could share these works with you. They are so rich and thought-provoking and soul-growing. I was trying to think of something I could share that would at least give you an example. I suppose I can provide a few links for anybody who is interested. That way you can have a chance to see what I’ve been up to lately and, hopefully, discover the wisdom and depth of these particular authors.
Here are a few links to three stories:
“Mrs. Flowers,” excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou: https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/2_Mrs%20Flowers%20by%20Maya%20Angelo.pdf
“Sweat,” a short story by Zora Neale Hurston https://www.houstonisd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=133958&dataid=193682&FileName=sweat.pdf
“The Lesson” by Tone Cade Bambara:
https://docplayer.net/32248775-The-lesson-by-toni-cade-bambara.html
If you read any of them, please let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Happy Tuesday.
20 Minutes a Day 