My Country Tis of Thee
Overview:
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee” (pp. 20-25) chronicles opera singer Marian Anderson’s struggle to sing in Washington, DC in 1939. When the Daughters of the American Revolution denied Ms. Anderson the right to sing at Constitution Hall, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, publicly condemned the DAR’s decision by renouncing her membership in his group. Eventually, Ms. Anderson was invited to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Click here for an excerpt of this reading.
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee” helps students reflect on essential questions such as:
- What are civil rights? What does it mean to be treated equally?
- When faced with injustice, what do people do? What can they do? What should they do?
- To what extent has progress been made with regard to civil rights?
- What is the role of artists as agents for social change?
- Under what conditions, if any, is it appropriate to exclude someone from entrance into a public space? A private space?
Suggested Activities:
- Journal Reflection:
Have students view a clip of Marian Anderson’s Easter performance (available here) and Aretha Franklin’s performance at the inauguration of Barack Obama seventy years later and then respond to these questions in their journals: How are Ms. Anderson’s and Ms. Franklin’s situations similar? How are they different? What does this reveal about what has changed, and what has not changed, in the United States over the past 70 years? Students can debrief their responses using the think-pair-share teaching strategy. - A range of choices: Have students read (or read aloud) “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” to the top of page two where it says, “Roosevelt considered how to respond.” Then ask students the question, “What options does Eleanor Roosevelt have? What could she do?” For example, she could 1) ignore the situation, 2) publicly protest the decision, 3) support the decision, or 4) privately complain but take no public action. Students may come up with other responses. Write these ideas on pieces of paper and post them around the room. Using the Four Corners teaching strategy ask students to stand near the sign that represents their answer to the question, “What do you think Roosevelt will choose to do?” Then you can do another round where you ask students to stand near the sign that represents their answer to the question, “What should she do?” [Note: While this activity is usually implemented with four choices, you can use the same basic structure for more than four options.] After this activity, continue reading “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and have students discuss Roosevelt’s actual decision.
- Using maps to discuss inclusion and exclusion:
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee” addresses issues of inclusion and exclusion as it relates to public and private spaces. Have students consider whether there are places in their community, school, or cafeteria where certain groups or individuals are not allowed or not invited. They could do this by referring to a map, or drawing their own maps. Students can discuss questions such as: Where might some people be exclused? Why is this the case? What should be done about this? Under what conditions, if any, is it appropriate to exclude someone from using a public space? A private space? - Art and social change project: Have students consider the role of artists (musicians, actors, visual artists, etc.) as agents of social change. After discussing Marion Anderson’s role as an activist for civil rights, students can identify other artists who have tried to create social change. This could lead to a project where students present research about artists they have identified. In their presentations, students can answer questions such as: What message was this individual trying to express? How? What impact did his/her work have on larger society? What do you think is artists’ responsibility to use their talent and/or fame for a larger social purpose?
