This slide will introduce students to Civil Rights Era literature.

1. The Civil Rights Era
• Occurred in the 1960s
• A reform movement that led to the outlawing of
racial discrimination.
• (Langston Hughes saw it coming,
as most poets are able to do)

2. • Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
from Montage of a Dream Deferred, 1951
“Harlem”
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

3. The Civil Rights Era is the
metaphorical explosion of the
dream deferred.

4. Malcolm X
• A Film by Spike Lee (the author)

5. How it came to be
• Historical figure (died in the 60s)
• Tells his story Alex Haley
• Writes a book(1964)
• Spike Lee reads book
• Directs the film Malcolm X (1992)