last updated: October 1, 2007
 

I'm glad you're taking a look at this page!  The links below all relate to our curriculum, and are clearly grouped
around the novels we'll study.  I hope you find this page interesting and useful. Please email me to give me
feedback, or to let me know that you were here.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Here's a link to the Yahoo! directory of Maya Angelou related web sites.

CHINA  BOY

Gus Lee interview - this interview covers some of his other books as well, but discusses the blend of fiction and autobiography in China Boy.

Model Minority - Research articles, literature, pictures, other information about Asian-American culture and experiences.

Asian-Americans in the West

Angel Island - Oral histories of detainees and their families.

Angel Island Poetry - For many years, Chinese immigrants to the U.S. were held in quarrantine at Angel Island, (in the San Francisco Bay, north of the city).  Detainees in prison-like barracks carved poems into the walls.  Learn more about Angel Island and read some of the moving poems at this web site.

Yung Wing - biographical information about one of the earliest and most interesting of Chinese immigrants.  Featured in Becoming American, he immigrated as a child, graduated from Yale, and became an educator himself.

To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm sure there are more good Mockingbird links. These will get you started - please let me know if they lead to any sites you particularly like. Here are the few I have so far.

• A study guide, with some interesting links as well.
• Some historical background on the novel.
• View a collection of photographs of signs used to maintain segregation.
• Information about Harper Lee... followed by dozens of additional links.
• Information about the Scottsboro Trials - the real-life inspiration for the story of Tom Robinson.

• In June of 2005, the United States Senate issued an apology for its failure to address the injustice of lynching when such action was desparately needed.  Read about the Senate's resolution.
  

• Additional information and history of lynching at http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/lynching/ 
  

• View an historical collection of photographs of signs used to maintain segregation.
  

Cry, the Beloved Country

"To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one's responsibility as a free man."
- Alan Paton

Alan Paton - click here for more quotations from the author.

• The South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission Home Page - updates and transcripts, other information.

• "Why Do They Forgive Us?" - an article about the reconciliation between Amy Biehl's parents and killers.

• The Amy Biehl Foundation

• Barefoot Press - contemporary South African poetry - very cool stuff!

• "Madam, Please" - lyrics to a moving song about the chasm that separates two women - one white, one black.
  

• Listen to the South African National Anthem, Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika.
• Read the lyrics and learn the history of the anthem.
  

• Miramax Films adaptation of Cry, The Beloved Country - Come on in for pictures, quotes, and more!

• Here's what Nelson Mandela said at the film's premiere.

• MORE NELSON MANDELA

Mandela's Address on His Release From Prison (1990)

URL http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1990/release.html

 

Mandela's Nobel Peace Prize Address (1993)

URL http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1993/sp931210.html

 

Mandela's Inauguration Speech, Cape Town (1994)

URL http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1994/inaugct.html

 

Mandela's Address on the Adoption of the New Constitution (1996)
URL http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1996/sp960508.html

 

• South Africa Consular Information Sheet  URL: http://travel.state.gov/safrica.html

U.S. State Department travel advisories for Americans traveling in South Africa.

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