Multiple Choice
b) "the beautiful Bronx"
Describe the neighborhood where Colin Powell grew up in the 1940s. How was it different from what Harlem would later become?
In the 1940s, Colin grew up in Hunts Point, which residents called "the beautiful Bronx." It was a blue-collar neighborhood where different immigrant groups lived together peacefully. This was very different from the "extreme levels of urban decay and devastation" that would later characterize Harlem.
The main ethnic group in Hunts Point during Colin's childhood was:
a) Irish
b) Italian
c) Jewish
d) Puerto Rican
When the text says children "mingled unselfconsciously," it means they played together without being ________ of their differences.
aware/conscious (without being aware of their differences)
Explain how the diverse population of Hunts Point affected Colin's understanding of race and his place in society.
Because Hunts Point had a mixture of Jews, blacks, Irish, Italians, Poles, and Puerto Ricans who "mixed freely," Colin grew up in a neighborhood where "everybody was a minority." This environment meant he "never paid much attention to the color of his skin" and "never thought there was something wrong with me because I was black."
Colin Powell never felt self-conscious about his race because:
a) his family was wealthy
b) he lived in a neighborhood where everyone was a minority
c) his parents were from Jamaica
d) both b and c
d) both b and c
Colin's parents were British ________ because Jamaica was under British rule.
subjects (British subjects)
How did Colin Powell's Jamaican heritage influence his parents' attitudes toward race and citizenship in America?
Colin's parents came from Jamaica where blacks "rarely experienced the sort of racial oppression that many black Americans, particularly those in the southern states, endured." As a result, when they arrived in the United States, "they did not view themselves as second-class citizens, and they never allowed their children to think that way either."
Compare and contrast the racial experiences of Colin Powell's parents in Jamaica versus black Americans in the southern United States. What specific evidence supports this comparison?
Compare and contrast racial experiences:
Students should note that blacks in Jamaica "rarely experienced the sort of racial oppression that many black Americans, particularly those in the southern states, endured." This difference meant Colin's parents arrived in America not viewing themselves as "second-class citizens," unlike many black Americans who had experienced systematic oppression. Evidence includes the parents' confidence and high expectations for their children.
Colin's parents were originally from:
a) Harlem
b) the southern United States
c) Jamaica
d) Ireland
c) Jamaica
The Powell parents had high ________ for their children's success.
expectations (high expectations)
What were the two main values that Luther and Maud Powell emphasized to their children? Provide specific evidence from the text.
The two main values were education and hard work. For education, they "instilled in their son and daughter a strong faith in the Anglican church and a healthy respect for formal education," telling them to "strive for a good education. Make something of your life." For hard work, they believed "only hard work and perseverance could lead to success."
If the Powell family moved from Harlem to Hunts Point because they "felt that they had moved up in the world," what factors might have influenced this decision? List at least three economic or social reasons and explain each.
Factors for moving (accept reasonable responses):
• Economic: Better job opportunities, higher wages, more affordable housing
• Social: Less crowded conditions, safer neighborhood, better schools
• Cultural: More diverse community, less racial tension, better integration
Analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between the diverse neighborhood and Colin's attitude toward race. How did his environment shape his perspective?
Cause-and-effect relationship:
The diverse neighborhood where "everybody was a minority" caused Colin to never feel self-conscious about race. The effect was that he "never paid much attention to the color of his skin" because children of all backgrounds "mingled unselfconsciously in play." This environment normalized diversity and prevented racial self-consciousness.
The word "instilled" in the passage most likely means:
a) removed
b) questioned
c) gradually taught
d) suddenly changed
c. gradually taught
Luther and Maud Powell ________ strong values in their children through consistent teaching.
instilled (instilled strong values)
According to the passage, what did Colin's parents believe was necessary for success in America? How did they communicate this message to their children?
Colin's parents believed that "getting ahead in America depended on learning as much as possible" and that "only hard work and perseverance could lead to success." They communicated this through lectures and by creating "an expectation that existed in the family—you were supposed to do better."
The passage mentions several immigrant groups in Hunts Point: Jews, blacks, Irish, Italians, Poles, and Puerto Ricans. If Colin's class of 30 students reflected this diversity equally, how many students would represent each group? Show your calculation.
Math calculation:
6 groups ÷ 30 students = 5 students per group
Each group (Jews, blacks, Irish, Italians, Poles, Puerto Ricans) would have 5 students.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Luther and Maud Powell's parenting approach. What specific strategies did they use to motivate their children?
Parenting effectiveness:
The Powells used consistent messaging ("lectures"), high expectations ("you were supposed to do better"), religious foundation ("strong faith in the Anglican church"), and clear consequences ("bloody disappointment to the family if you didn't"). These strategies created motivation through both positive expectations and accountability.