Racial Identity and Perception Challenges

Clint Smith's poem, 'Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class,' explores the complex identity and societal expectations faced by a Black student. It delves into themes of visibility, stereotypes, and the duality of being both an exception and a caricature. The poem highlights the challenges of navigating a world where success is often attributed to affirmative action, and failure is seen as inevitable. It reflects on the pressures of being a representative for an entire race and the fleeting nature of recognition and success.

What historical case does the speaker reference to highlight the significance of the Black kid's presence in the classroom?

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Dred Scott v. Sandford

• Roe v. Wade

• Brown v. Board

Which authors and activists is the Black kid expected to be an expert on?

• Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. Du Bois

• Toni Morrison, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks

• James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass

• Alice Walker, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman

How is the Black kid perceived in terms of athletic ability?

• As a presumed athlete

• As a coach

• As a cheerleader

• As a non-athlete

What duality does the Black kid experience in terms of racial identity?

• Too educated and too uneducated

• Too urban and too rural

• Too rich and too poor

• Too Black and too white

When does the Black kid become visible to others?

• When they need help with homework

• When the Friday night lights are turned on

• During classroom discussions

• During lunch breaks