Lesson 2 from “Assata: An Autobiography:” Theme: Assata provided support from Black women against oppressive state.
This is the second of the two lessons I created for the Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy on Assata Shakur (light to her spirit) as part of our class on Black nationalism. This lesson is based on Chapter 1, which includes the initial shootout with the police, being shot, arrested, and detained in the hospital. The file of images contains a jarring image of Assata Shakur hospitalized and injured. This lesson is also for ages 10-14 and can be modified.
Key Big Ideas: love, perseverance, police violence
Learning Objectives: For students to understand and reflect on the violence of the police and the love of Black women supporting Assata and her own courage
Key Information:
After being persecuted for two years, Assata Shakur was shot by the N.J. police on the highway one late night, May 2, 1973.
She was physically abused in the hospital by NJ police.
Aunt Evelyn came to defend her
Assata stayed resilient
Activities: (supporting images)
Review pictures from week 1 and see what children remember of Assata Shakur. Fill in gaps if children don’t remember much. (5-10 minutes)
Explain that we are using Assata Shakur’s autobiography as our text and that that’s a primary source, and what this means. (5 min)
Summarize the first section of chapter one, explaining how she was shot and dragged from the car, how, sadly, she knew one of her comrades was killed, and how she misdirected the police and was subjected to police violence in the hospital. Ask children to share reflections. (10 minutes)
Beginning with “The door opens. It is Evelyn,” invite children to read different passages to the end of the chapter and discuss. (20 minutes)
Ask children
What happened in the passage?
Who are the characters in this section?
What did you feel listening to this passage? (10 min)
Assessment
How do children engage? What do they remember of week 1? What do you learn from interaction?
