Step 3: Watch Isabel Wilkerson - The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
Step 4: Answer the question
Questions
How does Isabel Wilkerson define the Great Migration? When did it take place?
Isabel Wilkerson equates the Great Migration with other vast movements of refugees from war or famine, where people must “go great distances… to reach safety with the hope that life will be better wherever they land.”Talk about migration due to necessity in terms of Ida Mae, George, and Robert. Did each of them migrate out of necessity? How do their stories differ? How were they similar?
Isabel Wilkerson quotes Black Boy by Richard Wright in which Wright wrote, on arriving in the North: “I had fled one insecurity and embraced another”. What unique challenges did black migrants face in the North? How did these challenges affect the lives of Ida Mae Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster?
How did Wikerson’s personal family experience and history influence the writing of The Warmth of Other Suns.
What does The Black Metropolis suggest is wrong with or “incomplete” about using the ghettoization model to describe Black communities that formed in northern cities?
What was the source of African American consumer power, even as most worked in marginalized, low-wage positions?
Media institutions tend to be large national and/or global corporations such as broadcasting companies, newspaper and magazine publishers, film production companies, music and publishing companies, and some governments. What are some historical and contemporary black examples of media institutions you can think of?
Full Answer Section
George Starling: George Starling migrated from Georgia to New York City in 1945 in search of better job opportunities and a more fulfilling life. He had grown up in a small town, where he felt limited by the lack of opportunities available to black people. He hoped that by moving to a big city, he would be able to find a good job and build a better life for himself and his family.
Robert Foster: Robert Foster migrated from Florida to Los Angeles in 1948 to pursue his dream of becoming a successful musician. He had grown up singing and playing the guitar, and he was determined to make a career out of his music. He knew that Los Angeles was a major center for the music industry, and he hoped that by moving there, he would be able to get his big break.
Did They All Migrate Out of Necessity?
While all three of these individuals migrated to the North in search of better opportunities, their motivations were not identical. Ida Mae Gladney was fleeing violence and racism in the South. George Starling was seeking better job opportunities and a more fulfilling life. Robert Foster was pursuing his dream of becoming a successful musician.
How Do Their Stories Differ?
Ida Mae Gladney's story is one of survival and resilience. She overcame tremendous adversity to escape the Jim Crow South and build a better life for herself and her family in the North.
George Starling's story is one of ambition and determination. He sought out new opportunities and worked hard to achieve his goals. He eventually became a successful businessman and community leader in New York City.
Robert Foster's story is one of passion and perseverance. He pursued his dream of becoming a successful musician despite the many obstacles he faced. He eventually achieved his goal and became a renowned musician and performer.
How Were Their Stories Similar?
All three of these individuals were motivated by a desire for a better life. They were all willing to take risks and leave behind everything they knew in order to achieve their goals. They all faced challenges in the North, but they all persevered and achieved success.
Richard Wright's Quote and the Experiences of Ida Mae, George, and Robert
Richard Wright's quote, "I had fled one insecurity and embraced another," speaks to the challenges that black migrants faced in the North. Even though they were fleeing the violence and racism of the Jim Crow South, they still faced discrimination and segregation in the North.
Ida Mae Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster all experienced the challenges that Wright described. Ida Mae struggled to find decent housing and employment. George was discriminated against at work and was often the target of racial violence. Robert faced the challenges of racism and segregation in the music industry.
However, all three of these individuals also found success in the North. Ida Mae eventually found a good job and a comfortable home. George became a successful businessman and community leader. Robert achieved his dream of becoming a successful musician.
Their stories remind us that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to achieve our goals. They also remind us of the importance of resilience and perseverance.
Conclusion
The Great Migration was a transformative event in American history. It changed the lives of millions of African Americans and the face of the nation. The stories of Ida Mae Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster are just a few of the many stories of the Great Migration. Their stories are a testament to the courage, resilience, and determination of African Americans in the face of adversity.
Sample Answer
Isabel Wilkerson's Definition of the Great Migration and its Timing
In her book The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson defines the Great Migration as the movement of six million African Americans from the rural South to the urban North, Midwest, and West between 1915 and 1970. She equates the Great Migration with other vast movements of refugees from war or famine, where people must "go great distances… to reach safety with the hope that life will be better wherever they land."
Migration Due to Necessity in the Lives of Ida Mae, George, and Robert
Ida Mae Gladney: Ida Mae Gladney migrated from Mississippi to Chicago in 1937 to escape the violence and racism of the Jim Crow South. She had grown up on a plantation, where she and her family were subjected to harsh working conditions and constant fear of violence. She decided to migrate to Chicago after she was nearly raped by a white man.