Embedded Files
In order to establish context about the fight against apartheid, I find Steve Biko's writing and story particularly powerful. The Hollywood movie Cry Freedom does a great job not just of telling Biko's story, but of painting a picture of the tribulations of living in Apartheid South Africa. There is also a great interactive timeline of Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement that is worth a look.
Activity 1:
Watch Cry Freedom
Cry Freedom is the true story about Stephen Biko, a black leader in South Africa who protested apartheid, and his friend Donald Woods, a white journalist. Both men were instrumental in bringing about the end of South Africa's apartheid policies. Here are some further teaching resources on the film.
Questions:
1. Describe the police raid on the township settlement.
2. Why doesn't newspaper man, Donald Woods, like Stephen Biko at the beginning of the movie?
3. Why is Stephen Biko banned by the South African government?
4. What does Stephen Biko mean when he says that "we know how you live. How would you like to see how we live?"
5. Describe Donald Woods' experience when Stephen Biko takes him to visit a black township. What new things does he learn about the lives of blacks in South Africa?
6. At dinner that night, the people tell Donald Woods that African culture is what they want back. Stephen Biko says, "We don't want to be forced into your society." What good things do they point out about African culture?
7. How does Donald Woods change after meeting Biko and visiting the black township–how does he become an activist in the fight against apartheid?
8. During the court proceedings, what charges does Stephen Biko make against the white government of South Africa?
9. According to Stephen Biko, what is “black consciousness” all about?
10. Was Donald Woods’ visit with Kruger, the Minister of Police in Petoria, successful? Did Kruger honor the promise he made?
11. When the police search Stephen Biko's house, where are the papers hidden?
12. Why is Mapetia arrested, and what happens to him?
Activity 2: Black Consciousness and Steve Biko
Students should study the excerpt from Biko as well as the description of Black Consciousness by SASO. This will help establish the ideas the activism that helped eventually to topple apartheid several decades later.
Document #1
The following is an extract from one of Steve Biko's articles taken from 'I Write What I like' and signed Frank Talk, in which he writes about the philosophy of Black Consciousness.
Black Consciousness
All in all the black man became a shell, a shadow of a man, completely defeated, drowning in his own misery, a slave, an ox bearing the yoke [burden] of oppression with sheepish timidity. This is the first truth, bitter as it may seem, that we have to acknowledge before we can start on any program to change the status quo. It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality. The first, therefore, is to make the black man come to himself; to pump back life into his empty shell; to infuse him with pride and dignity; to remind him of his complicity in the crime of allowing himself to be misused and, therefore, letting evil reign supreme in the country of his birth. This is what we mean by an inward-looking process. This is the definition of 'Black Consciousness'.
1. Explain, in your own words the following concepts:
a) Black Consciousness Movement
b) Liberation
2. How does Steve Biko justify the need for Black Consciousness?
3. How does this reading portray the black man?
4. What, according to Steve Biko, needs to happen to address the oppression of black people in South Africa?
Document #2
This is the paper produced for a SASO (South African Students' Organization) Leadership Training Course in July 1971 by Bantu Stephen Biko.
Who is the Speaker of this piece?
What is the Occasion ( time, place and historical context) in which this piece was written?
Who is the intended Audience?
What is the Purpose of this piece?
What is the Significance of this piece historically?
What is the over Tone of the paper?
Activity 3:
Read the following article with the class Anti-Apartheid Leader Steve Biko Dies in Police Custody and engage students in a discussion about the questions below.
1. Do you believe that those who committed crimes in the past should be granted amnesty or anonymity for their testimony under certain circumstances? Why or why not?
2. How do you think a country or group of people can most effectively address past injustices to lay the foundation for a more just future?
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse