Binary Oppositions MW

JMarcus Sewell   For my major project I decided to make graphics. I used the article Black Print: African American Writings as my main source. I felt myself enjoying this article and just the unique type of pull we had for the future. The meaning behind the graphic is to use a picture of the past to know the current thing of today’s time is. So, in the picture you will see social media sights, that will represent what the new black magazines would be like today. Although newspapers and magazines are still used in current time technology and social media have a much larger pull-on spreading information to learn, to gossip, or even to stay in the loop of what is going on in a certain area or time. Which was stated in the article black print that the newspaper very used to be beneficial for the African Americans at the time to help stay up to date. Just showing a side of if there is a way there is a will because it was no technology, so they had to use the next best resource to accomp...

HURSTON VS. DU BOIS: SELF-DEFINITION, IDENTITY, AND DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS   by Khyla Johnson

 Aleesha Davis  Professor Harris  ENGL2016-4598 11/29/25  Mixtape Reflection: Embracing Identity and Authenticity  Langston Hughes’s essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” really inspired this mixtape and made me think about how important it is for people to embrace who they are. In his essay, Hughes talks about how Black artists often feel pressure to fit into white standards of beauty, art, and success. He encourages artists to be proud of who they are and their culture, instead of trying to change themselves to be accepted by others. This mixtape is meant to show that same message through music. All the songs celebrate identity, pride, and staying true to yourself even when society puts pressure on you. The songs show different ways to be proud of who you are and where you come from. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” talks about loving yourself just the way you are and not letting anyone else’s opinions affect you. Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” celebrates B...

  Jerenesha Swafford  Professor Harris  English 2016-45498  1 December, 2025  Eleventh grade is a turning point for a lot of students. They’re figuring out who they are, separating their own opinions from what others expect of them, and learning how to stand on their own. This lesson plan is meant to meet them in that space by connecting literature to real-life thinking, cultural awareness, and personal reflection. Throughout the unit, students look at how different characters respond to pressure, conflict, and change. Using novels, stories, poems, and class discussions, they explore how opposing forces can push people to grow—or sometimes hold them back. Since 11th-grade English usually revolves around American literature and identity, this unit gives students a real chance to explore those ideas on a deeper level. They’ll jot down their thoughts in reading journals, talk things through in groups, try some creative writing, and wrap it all up with a final proje...

 Lesson Plan  LaTrinity Coleman  Date: 11/30/2025  This lesson introduces students to the vibrant artistic contributions of Jacob Lawrence and the broader Harlem Renaissance community. Through discussion, analysis, and creative activities, students will explore how Lawrence used art to document African American life, celebrate community resilience, and highlight historical narratives. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Harlem Renaissance as a cultural movement that blended art, music, literature, and social change.  Objectives • Understand the cultural and historical significance of the Harlem Renaissance. • Analyze Jacob Lawrence’s artistic style and themes, particularly from The Migration Series.  • Discuss how community identity and African American experiences are portrayed through Lawrence’s work.  • Apply knowledge by creating visual or written work inspired by Harlem Renaissance storytelling. Reading / Viewing Material Jacob Lawren...

 Jadyn Bradley  ENGL 2016  11/27/2025  Major Project  For my major project, I have decided to create a mixtape with songs from various black artists. The goal of the mixtape is to show the meaning behind each song and detail how they highlight the multiple struggles in the lives of black Americans. It is meant to highlight the complexities of black culture, the great and the bad, but both sides are important stories to tell. I wanted to focus on a few aspects that relate to the story of Bigger Thomas in ‘Native Son’, so the songs focus on topics like poverty, systemic oppression, childhood trauma, violence, but also hope and black excellence.  1. m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar - I wanted to start the playlist addressing struggles within the black community first, so I put ‘m.A.A.d city’ by Kendrick Lamar at the top of the playlist. The song focuses on violence within the black community. He retells his story of watching men be killed off in front of him, wa...

  Parker Coleman Dr. Harris ENGL2016-45498 12/01/2025 Equity and Excellence in Black Education In the United States today, there are persistent disparities in academic achievement remaining a challenge for Black students in comparison to their peers. National data further shows that the standardized test scores, graduation rates and college completion levels continue to lag their fellow peers. This “lag” is often referred to as the “student achievement gap”. However, this gap does not solely represent a matter of an individual's level of effort, but reflects systemic inequities in access to funding, opportunity, and more resources. It is these same statistics that leave room for questions as to what kind of system best prepares a marginalized community for elevation? Many say it is practical skills and vocational training, such as Booker T. Washington. On the other hand, some would argue that higher education and intellectual leadership elevates a community, such as Du Bois. This q...

  Cole Hall Dr. Jaleesa Harris ENGL 2016 1 December 2025 Mixtape Theme: Love Viewed from an Immature Sexual Perspective Introduction This mixtape has to do with historical beef on whether sexuality should’ve been included in black art. I believe it shouldn’t have as sexuality ruined true images of love. This mixtape explores the themes of immature love, which is based on Janie’s perspective in Their Eyes Were Watching God . Janie was the teenage girl protagonist that went through an orgasm. She believed that the orgasm was how love was supposed to work. She was not experiencing true love as she was just experiencing a sexual arousal without any romantic feeling. However, she was not the only one to fall through this unfortunate misunderstanding. In music, it is common for artists to show a sexual viewing of love. Each track I will provide will show some similarity to what Janie experienced as an adolescent.   Track List and Contributions 1.”My Wife, My Bitch, My Girl” by Tech ...

  Ja’Laiya Martin Dr.Harris African American Literature 1 December, 2025 (collage at the bottom of post) Two Roads to Freedom My poster titled “Two Roads to Freedom” visually represents the ideological contrast between Malcolm X and Bayard Rustin during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Although both leaders sought liberation for Black Americans, they approached freedom from distinctly different philosophies. The design emphasizes this division through color, imagery, and carefully selected quotations that highlight their core beliefs. The left red section, representing Malcolm X, symbolizes urgency, resistance, and militant truth-telling. Words such as bold, fearless, empowering, direct, and power-asserting reflect Malcolm X’s unapologetic commitment to Black self-determination. The clenched-fist icon reinforces his emphasis on strength, autonomy, and the necessity of confronting injustice without compromise. The clouds surrounding his section feature quotes that capture hi...

  Sophia Rabb Dr. Harris ENGL 2016 December 1, 2025 Not Allowed to Be Soft  The Historical and Political Masculinization of Black Women For centuries, Black women have been forced outside the boundaries of traditional womanhood and instead pushed into a false identity shaped by a racist society. This process of what is now called the masculinization of Black women has and still is denying Black women their femininity. From slavery to modern politics, Black women have been portrayed as physically and emotionally stronger and less delicate when compared to white women, leading to deeply rooted stereotypes that still continue today. These portrayals have appeared in books, media, politics, consumer products, and even children's entertainment, intentionally shaping generations to see Black women as ‘subhuman.’ As a result, Black women today continue to face misogynoir from all levels of society.   One of the most popular examples of this is Michelle Obama, one of America...