Keywords

Civil Rights Movement, African American culture, young adult literature

Abstract

At this time of year, English teachers have two excellent opportunities to use YA literature to help students understand the Civil Rights Movement and to gain an appreciation of African American culture in the United States. The first opportunity comes up soon, January 20, 2003: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In addition to discussing the important role Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played in changing American societv, the class days immediatelv before and after this holiday can be devoted to reading fiction and nonfiction about the Civil Rights Movement. The second date to remember is all of next month, February 2003: Black History Month.

Original Publication Citation

“Reading African American History and the Civil Rights Movement,” English Journal 92.3 (January 2003): 131-134.