African American Writing

Argumentative Writing

and

from "Through My Eyes"

Unit 3 Introduction

Introduction to Unit 3 - Argument

We understand the importance of an education. In the United States, every child has the right to a free education.

Going back to our lessons last week on equity and equality -

-Is the education we all receive in the US, equal or equitable?

-If there are issues still with education, what are some ways to address and/or solve them?

The Elements of an Argument

• Claim

• Reason

• Evidence

• Counterclaim

Claim

The writer’s position on an issue supported by facts and evidence.

Watch this video on Claim, Reasons, and Evidence:

https://youtu.be/ZhZ730zue4Y

from Through My Eyes

By Ruby Bridges (Memoir)

About Ruby Bridges

In November 1960, Ruby Bridges (born 1954) became the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South. She founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation in New Orleans in 1999. It's motto is "Racism is a grown-up disease and we must stop using our children to spread it."

While reading decide your claim around these argumentative topics

• Is the education we all receive in the US, equal or equitable?

• If there are issues still with education, what are some ways to address and/or solve them?

Read from "Through My Eyes"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mssSCk5jTjmJfh3s76t_oJ0fmhnh5e0QBCXQ9u5p3eM/edit?usp=sharing

Multiple Choice

According to the selection from "Through My Eyes, why is Ruby able to attend a formerly all-white public school?

• She is awarded a scholarship to the school.

• The school has established a special program for gifted black students.

• The NAACP has offered to pay for Ruby's school uniform, books, and tuition.

• The federal courts have ordered an end to racial segregation in public schools.

Multiple Select

As explained in the selection from Through My Eyes, which of these reasons do the people from the NAACP give to encourage Ruby's parents to send Ruby to William Frantz, the formerly all-white public school? Choose three options.

• William Frantz is relatively close to Ruby's home.

• By attending, she will meet important, influential people.

• Her attendance will help other black children in the future.

• William Frantz is better than the school she currently attends.

• Her attendance will generate a great amount of positive publicity.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best expresses the attitude or viewpoint of the young Ruby Bridges as portrayed in the selection from Through My Eyes?

• She is a scholarly child who will do anything necessary to get a good education.

• She is unwilling to face the reality of events and instead prefers to daydream.

• She does not fully understand the implications of the events taking place.

• She is a rebellious child who refuses to live up to society's expectations.

Multiple Choice

In the course of the passage from Through My Eyes, what change takes place in the attitude of Ruby’s father about her attendance at William Frantz?

• At first he is pleased, but later he grows worried about her safety.

• At first he is against her participation, but later he is proud of her.

• At first he is indifferent to the situation, but later he becomes angry.

• At first he is worried, but later he is pleased by the reception she gets.

Multiple Choice

Part A

According to the selection from Through My Eyes, what is the main reason that Ruby’s mother wants her to attend the formerly all-white public school?

• to attend a school closer to home

• to be part of an important social change

• to learn how to face real-world problems

• to get a higher-quality learning experience

Multiple Choice

Part B

Which of the following pairs of sentences from Through My Eyes best supports the answer to Part A?

• My segregated school was fairly far from my house, but I had lots of company for the long walk. All the kids on my block went to Johnson Lockett.

• Several people from the NAACP came to the house in the summer. They told my parents that I was one of just a few black children to pass the school board test, and that I had been chosen to attend one of the white schools, William Frantz Public School.

• Lucille, my mother, was convinced that no harm would come to us. She thought that the opportunity for me to get the best education possible was worth the risk, and she finally convinced my father.

• On Sunday, November 13, my mother told me I would start at a new school the next day. She hinted there could be something unusual about it, but she didn't explain.

Multiple Choice

Part A

In the selection from Through My Eyes, what sort of reception does Ruby get when she arrives for her first day at William Frantz Public School?

• intimidating and cruel

• cautious but friendly

• cold and indifferent

• positive but hectic

Multiple Choice

Part B

Which quotation from Through My Eyes best supports the answer to Part A?

• I loved school that year, and my teacher, Mrs. King, was warm and encouraging.

• When we left school that first day, the crowd outside was even bigger and louder than it had been in the morning. There were reporters and film cameras and people everywhere.

• Many of the boys carried signs and said awful things, but most of all I remember seeing a black doll in a coffin, which frightened me more than anything else.

• After the first day, I was glad to get home. I wanted to change my clothes and go outside to find my friends.