# AP African American Studies: Night Before Review 🚀 Hey, you've got this! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident for your AP exam tomorrow. We're going to break down the key concepts, link them together, and make sure everything clicks. This is your go-to guide for a final, high-impact review. Let's dive in! ## 1. Interlocking Systems of Oppression: The Big Picture 🧩 ### Concept and Origins - **Interconnectedness:** Social categories like **race**, **gender**, **class**, **sexuality**, and **ability** don't exist in isolation. They interact to create unique experiences of **oppression** and **privilege**. Think of it like a complex puzzle where each piece (identity) affects the whole picture (your life). - **Systems at Play:** These categories operate within larger systems (education, healthcare, housing, etc.) that can either reinforce or challenge existing inequalities. - **Impact Areas:** These systems affect crucial aspects of life: - **Education**: Access to quality schooling. - **Health**: Healthcare disparities and outcomes. - **Housing**: Access to safe and affordable housing. - **Incarceration**: Disproportionate rates of imprisonment. - **Wealth Gaps**: Unequal distribution of resources. - **Black Feminist Roots:** This concept emerged from the work of Black feminist scholars, activists, and writers who recognized that race, gender, class, and sexuality are not separate issues. They are all interconnected and shape each other. - **Patricia Hill Collins:** A key figure who articulated the concept of intersectionality, emphasizing the unique experiences of Black women at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression. 💡 ### Black Feminist Tradition - **Multifaceted Experiences:** Black feminist writers explore the complex lives of Black individuals shaped by their race, gender, and social class. They don't just look at one factor; they look at how they all work together. - **Key Voices:** - **Gwendolyn Brooks:** A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who depicted everyday life and struggles of Black Americans. She made the ordinary feel extraordinary. 🖼️ - **Audre Lorde:** A self-described "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," who examined the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. She showed us how our identities are all connected. - **Impact on Identity:** These writers show how our identities affect our roles, opportunities, and treatment in society. For example, a Black woman may face discrimination based on both her race AND gender, limiting her access to resources. - **Multiple Lenses:** Black feminist literature challenges the idea that experiences can be understood through a single lens (like just race or just gender). It emphasizes that we need to see the whole picture. - **Unique Challenges and Strengths:** It highlights the unique challenges and strengths of those who navigate multiple marginalized identities. It's about recognizing resilience and power in the face of adversity. Understanding intersectionality is crucial; it's not just about listing categories, but seeing how they interact to shape experiences. It's a lens, not just a list. ## 2. Representation in Black Literature: Telling Our Stories 📖 ### Exploring Lived Experiences - **Diverse Realities:** Black writers use literature to show the diverse realities of African American life, including the impact of interlocking systems of oppression. It's about showing the full spectrum of experiences. - **Examples:** - **Gwendolyn Brooks' "A Street in Bronzeville":** Portrays the lives of Black residents in a Chicago neighborhood, showcasing their joys, sorrows, and resilience. It's a window into a community. - **Audre Lorde's "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name":** Explores her experiences as a Black lesbian navigating racism, sexism, and homophobia. It's a personal journey that reveals larger truths. - **Challenging Narratives:** By centering Black voices and experiences, these writers challenge dominant stereotypes and offer nuanced representations of Black life. It's about taking control of the narrative. - **Struggles and Triumphs:** These stories acknowledge both the struggles and the triumphs of Black individuals and communities. It's about showing the full human experience. - **Systemic Oppression:** They provide insights into how systemic oppression shapes individuals’ lives and communities. It's about understanding the forces at play. ### Identity and Social Class - **Negotiating Identities:** Black literature examines how African Americans navigate their multifaceted identities and social positions within and beyond their communities. It's about finding your place in the world. - **Example:** - **Gwendolyn Brooks' "Maud Martha":** The protagonist navigates her roles as a daughter, wife, and mother while confronting racism, sexism, and classism. It shows how different aspects of identity interact. - **Diversity Within:** These works showcase the diversity within Black communities and how individuals adapt to and resist systemic oppression. It's about recognizing the many different experiences. - **Strategies for Dignity:** They highlight the strategies Black Americans use to maintain their dignity, identity, and community ties in the face of adversity. It's about resilience and resistance. - **Impact of Social Class:** They demonstrate how social class and status can influence individuals' experiences and relationships within their communities. It's not just about race; class matters too. - **Comprehensive Understanding:** By exploring the complexities of identity and social class, Black literature provides a more comprehensive understanding of African American life and the impact of interlocking systems of oppression. It's about seeing the whole picture. This section is super important! Understanding how Black writers use literature to portray these complex issues is a key part of the course. Make sure you can connect specific works to themes of intersectionality and social justice. ## 3. Required Source: "We're the Only Colored People Here" by Gwendolyn Brooks 🎬 ### Summary - **Setting:** Maud Martha and Paul, an African American couple, visit a predominantly white movie theater called the World Playhouse. - **Initial Discomfort:** They realize they are the only Black people present, causing discomfort, especially for Paul. This is a key moment of tension. - **Subtle Racism:** They face subtle racism and awkwardness while purchasing tickets. It's not overt, but it's there. - **Enjoyment Despite Challenges:** Despite these challenges, the couple enjoys the movie experience. Maud Martha appreciates the ambiance and fantasizes about a more luxurious life. It's a brief escape. - **Brief Escapes:** She reflects on the rarity of such outings and learns to cherish these moments. It's about finding joy in small things. - **Avoiding Hostility:** As they prepare to leave, the couple hopes to avoid hostile reactions from other patrons. It shows the constant awareness of their racial identity. - **Themes:** The story explores themes of racial inequality, social discomfort, and finding joy in brief escapes from everyday life in 1940s America. It's a microcosm of larger issues. ### Key Takeaways - **Psychological Impact:** Brooks captures the psychological impact of being the "only" in predominantly white spaces. It's about the emotional toll of isolation. - **Subtle Racism:** The story highlights the subtle yet pervasive racism and segregation that persisted in everyday life. It's not always overt, but it's always there. - **Representation:** It underscores the importance of representation and the emotional toll of isolation. It's about seeing yourself in the world. - **Nuanced Understanding:** It offers students a nuanced understanding of the lived experiences that shaped African American consciousness during a pivotal era of social change. It's about empathy and understanding. Remember, this story isn't just about a movie night; it's about the constant navigation of race and identity in a segregated society. It's a powerful example of how everyday experiences are shaped by larger systems. ## Final Exam Focus 🎯 ### High-Priority Topics - **Interlocking Systems of Oppression:** Know the concept, its origins, and how it operates in different contexts. This is a core concept for the whole course. - **Black Feminist Thought:** Understand its key figures and how they challenge traditional views on race, gender, and class. This is foundational. - **Representation in Black Literature:** Be able to analyze how authors like Brooks and Lorde portray the experiences of African Americans. Connect literature to real-world issues. - **"We're the Only Colored People Here":** Understand its themes and how it relates to larger discussions of race and identity. It's a key text for the exam. ### Common Question Types - **Multiple Choice:** Expect questions that test your understanding of key terms, concepts, and historical events. Pay close attention to the wording of the questions. - **Short Answer Questions (SAQs):** Be prepared to explain concepts and provide specific examples from the texts or historical events. Be concise and to the point. - **Free Response Questions (FRQs):** These will require you to synthesize information from multiple sources and develop a coherent argument. Practice writing clear thesis statements and supporting your claims with evidence. ### Last-Minute Tips - **Time Management:** Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time. Pace yourself. - **Common Pitfalls:** Avoid vague answers. Always provide specific examples and evidence. Be precise in your language. - **Strategies:** Read the questions carefully. Outline your essays before you start writing. Review your answers before submitting. Be strategic. - **Stay Calm:** Take a deep breath. You've prepared for this. Trust your knowledge and skills. You've got this! For FRQs, create a clear thesis statement, use specific examples, and always connect your analysis back to the question. Use the provided documents to support your arguments. Practice makes perfect! ## Practice Questions 📝 ### Multiple Choice Questions **1.** Which of the following best describes the concept of intersectionality? a) The study of different racial groups in isolation. b) The idea that gender is the most important factor in shaping identity. c) The interconnected nature of social categories like race, gender, and class, creating unique experiences of oppression. d) The belief that all people experience oppression in the same way. **2.** In Gwendolyn Brooks' "We're the Only Colored People Here," what is a primary theme explored? a) The joy of racial integration. b) The psychological impact of being the only Black individuals in a predominantly white space. c) The economic benefits of racial equality. d) The absence of racism in 1940s America. **3.** According to the provided materials, which of the following is a key contribution of Black feminist scholars? a) The idea that gender is more important than race. b) The critique of treating race, gender, and class as mutually exclusive categories. c) The belief that all women experience oppression in the same way. d) The argument that social class is the only significant factor in shaping identity. ### Free Response Question **Prompt:** Analyze how Gwendolyn Brooks uses literary techniques in "We're the Only Colored People Here" to depict the experience of racial isolation and its impact on the characters. In your response, consider the role of setting, character development, and the use of language. Additionally, discuss how this story reflects the broader themes of intersectionality and systemic oppression. **Scoring Breakdown:** * **Thesis (1 point):** A clear, defensible thesis statement that addresses the prompt. * Example: "In 'We're the Only Colored People Here,' Gwendolyn Brooks uses setting, character development, and language to illustrate the psychological impact of racial isolation, reflecting the broader themes of intersectionality and systemic oppression." * **Analysis of Literary Techniques (4 points):** * **Setting (1 point):** Explanation of how the predominantly white movie theater setting contributes to the characters' feelings of isolation and discomfort. * Example: "The opulent, predominantly white setting of the World Playhouse serves as a stark contrast to Maud and Paul's everyday experiences, highlighting their racial difference and creating a sense of unease." * **Character Development (1 point):** Discussion of how Maud and Paul's reactions to their isolation differ, revealing the complex emotional toll of racism. * Example: "While Maud tries to enjoy the experience, Paul is more acutely aware of their isolation, showing how racial microaggressions affect individuals differently." * **Language (2 points):** Analysis of specific language choices (e.g., descriptions of the environment, dialogue) that convey the characters' feelings of alienation and the subtle racism they encounter. * Example: "Brooks' use of phrases like 'the only colored people here' and descriptions of the theater's luxury emphasize the racial divide and the couple's sense of otherness." * **Connection to Broader Themes (3 points):** * **Intersectionality (1 point):** Explanation of how the story demonstrates the intersection of race and class in shaping the characters' experiences. * Example: "The story shows how the couple's race and social class intersect to limit their access to certain spaces and experiences, illustrating the interconnected nature of oppression." * **Systemic Oppression (2 points):** Discussion of how the story reflects the larger context of systemic racism and segregation in 1940s America. * Example: "The subtle racism and discomfort experienced by Maud and Paul reflect the broader systemic oppression that African Americans faced during this era, highlighting the pervasiveness of racial inequality." * **Evidence and Support (2 points):** Use of specific evidence from the text to support claims. * Example: "The story mentions how Maud fantasizes about a more luxurious life, indicating the impact of their social class on their aspirations and experiences." * **Clarity and Coherence (1 point):** Clear and organized writing, with a logical flow of ideas. Don't just summarize the story; analyze how the author uses literary devices to convey specific themes. Always connect your analysis to broader concepts like intersectionality and systemic oppression. Alright, you've made it through! You're now armed with the knowledge and strategies you need to ace this exam. Go get 'em! 💪

Interlocking Systems of Oppression

Ryan Lee

How are we doing?

Interlocking Systems of Oppression

Ryan Lee

How are we doing?