Boston Before Busing
students are required to submit an analysis (3 to 5 paragraphs) of one of the week’s required or recommended readings, film screenings, music selections, and/or images to Bbd Learn by 5 p.m. Keep in mind that it is not necessary to wait until after Thursday’s class to complete this assignment since you are free to write about any of the material from the entire week. Late writing responses will not be accepted except in the case of excused absences.
The analysis should address the following questions in paragraph form:
- What is the main point/point of view of the reading, film, music, photograph, etc.? What are the key themes? Indicate specific passages, scenes, lyrics, slides, etc. that illustrate the main point and key themes.
- What evidence is used to support these points? What other methods or strategies are used to convince the audience? Did you find this evidence and other support convincing? Explain.
- Which ideas or themes stand out most for you? Why?
- How is this reading, film, music, photograph, etc. related to points raised in other course materials and discussions this semester? Provide specific examples and quotations from the course materials. When quoting, be sure to explain the significance of the quotation and provide a citation, e.g. author, title, and page number in parentheses.
You are expected to incorporate graders’ feedback, when provided, so that the responses improve over the course of the semester. These assignments, if done thoughtfully and with attention to detail, should help to enhance class discussion and provide you with ideas and information to help you prepare for tests.
use any of these:
Jeanne Theoharis, “‘They Told Us Our Kids Were Stupid’: Ruth Batson and the Educational Movement in Boston”
Jonathan Kozol, excerpt from Death at an Early Age
John Updike, “Marching through Boston” (Blackface! Minstrel Shows; “Yes Sir, Mr. Bones” video clip recommended for context)
Recommended
Noel Day, “The Freedom Movement in Boston”
Web sites: “Boston Before Busing“; and “Studying Struggle and Sacrifice“
Jeremy Wolff, “A Timeline of Boston School Desegregation, 1961-1985“
Solution Preview
According to this reading, activism for equal education opportunities in Boston began before 1974. It began with the “Garrity” decision that gave busing with the mandate to fix the de facto racial segregation in Boston’s education system…
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