Students read about slavery for Black Cultural Center contest

Dorothy Washington
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Students also will give oratorical presentations at the event in the Black Cultural Center's multipurpose room at 1100 Third St., West Lafayette.

"This contest is designed to honor the outstanding life of the African-American abolitionist and feminist Sojourner Truth," said Dorothy Washington, BCC librarian. "We hope parents, teachers and mentors will encourage students to participate."

Truth was born Isabella Baumfree to enslaved African parents in upstate New York in 1797. In 1843, she changed her name and traveled around the country by foot telling people about slavery. She spoke for women's rights, abolition, prison reform and spoke against capital punishment to the Michigan Legislature. Many biographies chronicle her lectures and her life, Washington said.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will read age-relevant biographies, and students in ninth through 12th grades will deliver oratorical presentations of her speeches.

"Students read books that matched their grade level, and the pre-selected books are available for loan at the BCC library," Washington said.

The booklist includes "A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth" by David Adler and "Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth" by Anne Rockwell. Middle school students should read "Sojourner Truth, A Self Made Woman" by Victoria Ortiz, and high school students are recommended to read "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol" by Nell Painter or "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth" in order to grasp an adequate understanding of Truth’s life.

Students will be judged on creativity, content, structure, grammar and originality. They also are encouraged to express their opinions and explain why they liked the book. Oratorical presentations will be judged on poise, delivery and presentation, overall effectiveness and historical accuracy. More detailed information pertaining to the criteria is available on the BCC library Web site.

Prizes will include a subsidized trip for two with the BCC on the Freedom Saga Heritage Tour to Battle Creek, Mich., for grades 3-12. For grades K-2, prizes include a book, an educational game and tickets to the Black Voices of Inspiration and Jahari Dance Troupe spring concerts. Runner-up prizes include tickets to the concerts and educational books. All participants will receive a certificate of excellence.

For more information, contact Washington at (765) 494-3093, dwashin2@purdue.edu or Juanita Crider, (765) 494-3097, jcrider@purdue.edu

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Dorothy Washington, (765) 494-3093, dwashin2@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

A publication-quality graphic is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/washington-BCCbooks.jpg

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