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Background Information:
Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books.
Blacks Absent from History Books.

We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time.....



The Challenge:
Time for a Black History Month Literacy Challenge!!!

The challenge is to write a poem that you believe Martin Luther King Jr. would recite based on today’s fabric of society. In other words, your poem should be constructed, and should read like a modern day “I Have A Dream” speech (if you will) in poetic form.




The Rules:

1. There are ten challenge words that must be used in the poem --- (word list provided below)
2. To allow greater flexibility - The words may be used in other forms (i.e. the word "love" may be used as loving, loved, loves, etc...)
3. ALL ten words must be used.
4. The poem should be between 20 and 30 lines and of any style.

The Word List:

• destiny
• freedom
• death
• parallelism
• child
• racism
• love
• flummoxed
• soliloquy
• quixotic

This is a tough challenge - So put your creative thinking caps on! Happy Black History month AND Happy posting!

The JPiC Moderating Team.

This is the challenge I gave to my high schoolers in celebration of Black History Month. My students enjoyed the challenge, and did a fantabulous job!!!! So I thought I would extend the challenge to our community. Hope you do try the challenge, and it is a challenge indeed, but above all enjoy the challenge. Have fun!!!!

{{{{~~~***PAINTED***~~~}}}}

Dear Kim,

I wrote what follows before Ireread the rules and saw that there are 10 words prescribed.

I'm posting it here anyway cuz I reckon that as a blotchy-pink (also known as "white") person there are things that oppress all of us, not just the easy one of "skin colour".

Hope you like it - I will try to follow the rules and write another.

Love
Alan

I HAVE A DREAM - Triolet

I have a dream that I’ll be free
to live my life and breathe my best
to truly know that I am me
I have a dream that I’ll be free
myself, alone, with added zest
from that within, for all to see
I have a dream that I’ll be free
to live my life and breathe my best

Alan McAlpine Douglas

Dear Master Grumps,

LOL!!! I am pleased that you DID post this as yes, oppression comes in many flavors, societies, colors, experiences for ALL people. I LOVE what you have shared, it is from your heart, and that is what this challenge is all about, and more important than having the challenge words. What can be more honest and beautiful than to have a dream to live one's life, that they will be fee, and breathe their best. Made me a little teary actually Alan. Thank you for sharing...well...you, and you are beautiful.

Love,

Kimberly

Hey GRUMPS - nice triolet...
Next time follow the prescribed rules though

Jacquii.

Teach...I think I'm short two lines here...do I get an A for effort? Tribute to M.L.K., Jr.

As we gather in unison and in love,
we look for fresh guidance from up above.
Flummoxed as we are by unnecessary persecution ,
I won’t give a soliloquy on God’s consecration.
We seek an end to racism, to segregation of color!
A special path lies ahead for each of our brothers!
We have a destiny that sings through our eager souls,
not even through death will it ever grow cold!
As we lay the groundwork with spilt blood from lashes,
we rise unrelenting from heaped upon ashes!
Freedom will come soon to this land of our birth,
as we aim for parallelism to widen it’s girth;
between race and society, an end to captivity
lies clear ahead through generational perspicacity.
Train up each child to have a vision for the future.
Quixotic as my dream may seem, keep it closer;
as each new day, hour and second brings a brighter day,
listen to the words “Come, walk MY way”!

© nomadicrhymer

Ahhh......this is a very exquisite tribute that Mr. King would be proud of!!! It has power, strength, is poignant, demands respect, states a message, and made me feel real good upon completing the poem. You get an.........A ++++++++++++!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!! Bravo poet, bravo!!!!!

{{{{~~~**PAINTED***~~~~}}}}

Kim, all your students must LOVE you! hehe...took me long enough to get my head into gear! Thanks for the lovely comments...(exhales) I'm glad that one is done with. Now I can enjoy whoever comes next! yippee!!

Nomad