General
Who is the author of the poem?
Elizabeth Alexander
What real-life event does the "other side" reference?
The Great Migration
How does the stanza "we cross dirt roads" connect to the modern day?
Systemic barriers continue to prevent certain opportunities, leaving more marks to be made in the road to equality
In what year was the poem written?
2009
What does the poem mean by a "mark in the road"?
Obama making history as the first Black president
How does the stanza "say it plain" connect to the modern day?
The fight for equality has not yet ended
What occasion was the poem written for?
Barack Obama's presidential inauguration
What does the "widening pool of light" represent?
Increase in societal acceptance of racial diversity
How does the stanza "love beyond" connect to the course?
Reflects the philosophy of MLK, as he used love and nonviolence for social change
What is the purpose of the poem?
To acknowledge the everyday struggles and progress of African Americans and the role of past generations in shaping the present
What do the references to everyday tasks symbolize?
The dignity and importance of ordinary lives
What does the poem reflect on?
Black resilience and the power of education and advocacy
What does "raised the bridges" symbolize?
Connection between people and communities, as well as the past and future, as Obama's inauguration connects America's history of struggle to its hopes for progress