The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Triumphant, Eloquent, Moving, Graceful, Historic

The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

By Russell Freedman

Published by Clarion Books

Copyright 2004

Newbery Honor Book 2005

The Robert F. Silbert Medal Winner 2005

Social Studies Non-Fiction

This book is about Marian Anderson, a talented singer who was denied the opportunity to sing at Washington's Constitution Hall because of her race. She was a famed vocialist who toured and studied all over Europe and the United States. During Anderson's carrer, the Jim Crowe laws prevented her from particpating in simple activities such as staying in hotels or walking through certain hallways. During the latter part of her carrer, Anderson felt that it was time to take a stand against segregation. She gave a milestone performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which was heard from coast-to-coast through radio links. Millions heard Anderson's performance, Easter Sunday in 1939. It is estimated that 75,000 people atteneded the live outdoor performance. Later, the Daughers of the American Revolution repealed the rule that Blacks couldn't perform at Constitution Hall. Author Russell Freedman chronicles Marian Anderson's life, her great vocal career, and her participation in the civil rights movement.

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read, Small Group Read

Grade Level (Lexile): 1180L, Ages 8-12

Key Vocabulary: soprano, contralto, timbre, obligations, hymns, amphitheater, segregation, integration

Teaching Suggestions

• Before Reading: Students will complete an anticipation guide before reading this book. It could include questions such as:
• True or False: Separate but equal is acceptable.
• What are the Jim Crow Laws?
• How would you feel if you were forced to walk through different hallways in a public building just because of your skin color?
• During Reading: After reading the first half of the book, hold a discussion about Marian and her struggle for equal rights. Students in small groups should discuss their ideas about how Marian is treated by others. Keeping in mind that the civil rights movement continued into the 1960's, do you think Marian will ever be accepted by the American people as an equal?
• After Reading: Students will revisit their answers to the anticipation guide. Discuss in small groups how their opinions have changed, if at all. How have your opinions changed? What made you go back and rethink what you wrote about "separate but equal"?

Writing Activity: Students will write a letter to Marian Anderson. This letter should address their feelings about her actions regarding her rights. The letter could answer questions like:

• Do you think Marian did the right thing by preforming on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial?
• How has reading her story made you think about the way you treat other people? (not necessarily based on race)
• Can you think of a time in your own life that you felt left out or separated from those around you?
• Now that you have read about Marian's amazing career as a singer, her dedication to her family, her struggle for equal rights, and her reserved personality, do you think she is an inspiration? Why?

Electronic Resources:

• Jim Crow: This website provides information about the Jim Crow laws and how they affected Black Americans from 1877 to the mid 1960's. Examples of laws  regarding speaking to whites and  examples of laws regarding public places such as barber shops and mental institutions are given. This site provides background information for students to understand what Marian had to endure every day. Teachers should read this information along with their students to explain and discuss some of the controversial information. Also, there is some vocabulary that students may need help with.
• Lincoln Memorial: This is a video of Marian Anderson singing "My Country tis of Thee" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
• Speech and Song: This is a video of pictures and an audio of the speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 and Marian singing the first part of "My Country tis of Thee". There are subtitles for the speech and for Marian's singing.
• Ave Maria: This is a video of Marian Anderson singing "Ave Maria" by Schubert.

 

Freedman, R. (2004). The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights. New York: Clarion Books.