Bell Ringer
Martin Luther King Jr. was an American pastor,
activist, humanitarian, and leader in the AfricanAmerican Civil Rights Movement. Think about the
rights he was fighting for. How have his efforts
affected your life today?
Watch all videos and
answer questions #1-10
H T T P : / / V I D EO . N AT I O N A LG EO G R A P H I C .C O M / V I D EO / N E W S / M L K - D AY - V I N
H T T P S : / / W W W. B R A I N P O P.C O M / S O C I A L S T U D I E S / F R E E M O V I E S / M A R T I N LU T H E R K I N G J R / F Y I /
H T T P S : / / W W W.YO U T U B E .C O M / WAT C H ? V = 3 X P Q I B D _ X I W
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ughAVo2ZAag
Strange Fruit Lyrics What is Lynching
Song #1
Strange Fruit was made famous by the jazz great Billie Holiday in
1939, long before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. The
song depicts the effects of lynching in the American south. Lady
Day, sang to sold out white audiences across the nation but was
forced to use a back entrance due to segregation. She would
often end her concerts with Strange Fruit. Nina Simone, singer
and Civil Rights activist covered the song in 1965 and was known
for her protest songs. Unlike Dr. King, Simone advocated at
violent revolution that would gain the attention of every
American.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYbs_O_iMfU
Song #2
Some of the protest music became widely popular and pop hits. They carried a double meaning
however, such as Aretha Franklin's 1967 anthem Respect, a remake of an Ottis Redding tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wEPZ0rTsHs
Ballad of Harry T Moore Harry T Moore Hughes & the Harlem Harlem Renaissance
Song # 3
Many of the protest songs of the Civil Rights movement told a story. The song below is based on
a poem originally written by poet and activist Langston Hughes, one of the leaders of the Harlem
Renaissance. The piece in the clip is performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock,a vocal group that
focuses on the music of the Civil Rights movement and songs for the struggle for justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJoWrLQWrEc
Song/Speech #4
Dr. King sums up the importance of music best in his speech "We Shall Overcome." It was
delivered just days before his assassination.
Martin Luther King Jr.
1) What role did music play during the Civil Rights Movement?
2) What issue did the song "Strange Fruit" raise awareness of? Why do you think it was remade
during the Civil Rights movement?
3) What was the difference between Dr. King and Ms. Simone's method of obtaining Civil Rights?
4) How do you think pop music influenced the Civil Rights movement?
5) Who was Harry T Moore, what role did he play in Florida history?
6) What does Harry T Moore's fate tell you about race relations in Florida?
7) What do you believe Dr. King was trying to overcome?
8) What does the speech tell us about Dr. King's resolve when it came to the Civil Rights
movement?
9) What does "You reap what you sow mean"?
10) According to Dr. King what role did music play in the Civil Rights Movement?