OLAMERICANS - Brilliant Black American Speeches

Course Description

The first speech we will listen to and discuss is Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July,” given to the Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852. We will listen to James Earl Jones deliver this speech electronically. Next, the speech “Ain’t I a Woman” by Sojourner Truth, neé Isabella Baunfree, will be shown—performed by Kerry Washington. Her speech was in 1851 at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. Moving to the twentieth century, we will see and hear James Baldwin as he makes his “Pindrop Speech” that he gave on February 18, 1965, in Cambridge, England--a debate between him and William F. Buckley, which Baldwin won hands down. Of course, we cannot omit Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, as well as his “Birmingham Jail” letter, which became a speech. We’ll hear and see King give his “Dream” speech but only hear him read his “Birmingham Jail” letter. Finally, we will watch Barack Obama give the “2004 DNC Keynote Address” on July 27, 2004, in Boston, a speech which catapulted him to the Presidency. Others may be added. People of any or no political party are welcome to come and give their opinions about these speeches and note the importance of the First Amendment, good writing, and great oratory. Type: Discussion.

Notes

Instructor: Dr. Olivia Pass

Location: Broadmoor United Methodist Church