The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
This historical-fiction novel by Christopher Paul Curtis was
written in 1995 and republished in 1997. It tells the story of a loving
African-American family, living in the town of Flint, Michigan in
1963.
When the oldest son begins to get into a bit of trouble, the
parents decide he should spend some time with his strict
grandmother, Grandma Sands, (Mrs. Watson's mother)
in Birmingham, Alabama.
The entire family travels there together by car, and during their
visit, tragic events take place that affect them collectively. Although
the Watson family is fictitious, the story incorporates and centers
on the historically factual 1963 16th Street Baptist Church
bombing in Birmingham, a critical catalyst of the American civilrights movement.
Later in 2013, a movie based on the book of the same name
was released (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
The Watson
Challenge
Create a poster
to display in
our classroom
Emulate the
author’s style
of writing
Read text and
take accurate
notes
Research
important
historical
events
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963:
Introduction
Kenny has problems.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963:
Introduction
His friend stole his toys.
His older brother, Byron, is mean to him.
And he thinks his lazy eye makes him look funny.
Kenny’s parents have decided that Byron
needs to spend a summer in Birmingham with
his grandmother, who’ll teach him how to
behave.
Kenny thinks this sounds too good
to be true. Will one of his problems
really go away?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY4jbYNTmKs
One day Kenny’s family decides to take a
cross-country trip from Michigan to Alabama.
But in Birmingham,
Kenny’s problems collide with America’s problems.
Historical Resources
Report to the American People on Civil Rights, 11 June 1963
CBS motion picture excerpt containing President John F. Kennedy’s full radio and television report to the American
people on civil rights.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/TNC-262-EX.aspx
Video of Children’s March In Birmingham, Alabama
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/04/26/april-26-2013-birmingham-and-the-childrens march/16051/
PBS NewsHour: Freedom Riders Discuss 50th Anniversary of Protest Movement
Interview of two women Freedom Riders discussing their experiences
http://video.pbs.org/video/1922856991/
Growing up under Jim Crow in Birmingham, Alabama
http://video.pbs.org/video/2227535292/
Civil Rights March on Washington
http://archive.org/details/CivilRightsMarch
One-minute video with George Wallace saying, “Segregation now, segregation
tomorrow, segregation forever.”
http://www.wyzant.com/help/history/hpol/wallace/segregation
The 1963 March on Washington civil rights rally
MLK, John Lewis and clergymen exemplify the diversity of the march,
indicating the importance of community, support and collective action.
http://www.dvarchive.com/stock-footage/000-3946/
Children’s march, protesting, courageously being arrested, attack dogs being
used against patrons, all to the backdrop of MLK’s speech.
http://fastimages.net/films/movie.jsp?id=205794
Extended clip of MAJOR moments of Civil Rights Movement, incorporating
all major moments.
http://www.myfootage.com/search.php?search=bull+connor&match_type=all
Singing “we shall overcome” with the newscast V.O, and MLK’s speech.
http://fastimages.net/films/movie.jsp?id=88586
Josephine Baker
“Speech at the March on Washington,” 1963
http://www.blackpast.org/?q=1963-josephine-baker-speech-march-washington
After Reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham,
you will answer the following questions.
Since 1963, how has the United States made progress in
fighting racism and discrimination?
Where do barriers between ethnic groups still exist?
What can you do to break down these barriers?
What effects do you think the church bombing had on
members of the civil rights movement?
How would you have responded to the bombing, if you
were in Birmingham at the time?
What political actions or ideas today affect your family?
How have they affected you?
The Watsons’ favorite Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY4jbYNTmKs to show Straighten Up and Fly Right
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cHB3Rbz1OI for Yakety Yak