Movers and Movements

Unsung Heroes: Roles (Handout also in PDF here.)

Unsung Heroes Clue Sheet (PDF Handout)

1.      In 1954, I helped organize women’s opposition to oppressive government policies. I was tried for high treason and jailed. My husband and all my children were also imprisoned. I am __________________________________________.

2.      My mother was one of the founders of Black Sash. I became president when my mother retired in 1975. We tried to stop the forced removal of people from their homes to distant locations. I am ________________.

3.      I won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1991. My proudest moment was not when I received the Nobel Prize. It was when I testified to save the lives of twenty-two people accused of treason by the minority government. I am _______________________.

4.      In 1962, I was arrested and exiled from the land of my birth without a trial. My book, 117 Days, tells of my experiences in jail. After being released from jail, I continued to live in exile. In 1982, I was killed by a letter bomb sent by government agents. I am _____________________.

5.      I protested social injustice using Gandhi’s nonviolent methods.  In 1952 I was banned for five years and also imprisoned without a trial for six months. I am _________________.

6.      I studied in the United States at the turn of the century. In 1913, I demonstrated against government laws that forced African women to carry passes. As we marched, we shouted, “We have done with pleading; we now demand!” I am ___________________.

7.      I was born abroad into a white privileged life, but I questioned the treatment of Black people in my adopted country. Side by side with my best friend, Lillian Ngoyi, I led an historic march in which more than 20,000 women demonstrated against injustice in 1956. I am ________________.

8.      I was a leader of a group that protested against pass laws for African women. My friend Helen Joseph and I led an historic march in which more than 20,000 women demonstrated in 1956. I am __________.

9.      I was arrested for treason. Later in 1964, I was sentenced to life in prison. My book, The Peasants’ Revolt, was banned by the white minority government, which favored apartheid. I am ___________.

10.  While working as a social worker, I became aware of the terrible poverty endured by most of the people in my country. Because of my long struggle against injustice, I experienced imprisonment, banning, and separation from my two small daughters. I am _____________________________.

11.  In 1960, my organization led an antipass protest in Sharpeville. The police opened fire and killed many unarmed protesters. When I was imprisoned on Robbens Island, the minority president, John Vorster, said he would keep me there until “this side of eternity.” I am _____________________________.

12.  I was a Rhodes scholar and well-known white lawyer. Many believed I was destined for high office in my country. Instead, I joined the radical resistance against apartheid. For this I was put in prison in 1966.  After I died in prison, the government refused to give my ashes to my family. I am __________________________.

13.  In the 1950s, I helped to organize the Defiance Campaign. In 1956, I was arrested for high treason and sentenced to life in prison with Nelson Mandela on Robbens Island. I was let out of prison in 1989.  I am _______________________.

14.  In the early 1900s, I left my country for Britain and the United States to inform people about the Native Land Act. This law stripped Africans of most of their land. Without land, death and hunger stalked the people. I am ________________________.

15.  In 1946, I helped to organize the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign. In South Africa, people of Indian descent were called colored. Uniting all people of color was one of my most important goals. I am __________________________.

16.  I formed the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union in 1919 to protest unfair labor laws and to protect workers. I am _______________.

17.  When I was tried for treason I said, “I cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for…. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” I was imprisoned for 27 years and released in 1990.  I am ______________________.

18.  I formed an all-Black student group and became its first president. I spread my ideas about Black consciousness and Black power throughout my country. One day in 1977, government agents silenced my voice forever. I am __________________.

19.  I led the campaign to exclude my country from the Olympic games in the 1960s.  I believed this would force the apartheid government to change its racist policies. I am _________________________.

20.  In 1962, I joined the military underground to fight for social justice. By the 1990s, I was a very popular political leader, and some said I was a likely candidate for president one day. However, my life ended on April 10, 1993, when I was gunned down by right-wing extremists in front of my family. I am ____________________________.

21.  I fought for social justice with my songs. For this, the government forced me to live in exile for thirty years. I am ___________________________.

22.  I was president of the African National Congress from 1952 until I died in 1967. In 1960, I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I am _________________________________.

23.  I am a bishop of the Anglican church, and I was an outspoken critic of apartheid. In 1984, I won the Nobel Peace Prize. I am __________________.

24.  I fought against apartheid with my pen. I was charged with treason, banned, placed under house arrest, and eventually forced to leave my country.  I died in exile in the Caribbean.

I am ___________________________.

Unsung Heroes Answer Sheet (PDF Handout)

1. In 1954, I helped organize women’s opposition to oppressive government policies. I was tried for high treason and jailed. My husband and all my children were also imprisoned. I am Albertina Sisulu.

2. My mother was one of the founders of Black Sash. I became president when my mother retired in 1975. We tried to stop the forced removal of people from their homes to distant locations. I am Sheena Duncan.

3. I won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1991. My proudest moment was not when I received the Nobel Prize. It was when I testified to save the lives of twenty-two people accused of treason by the minority government. I am Nadine Gordimer.

4. In 1962, I was arrested and exiled from the land of my birth without a trial. My book, 117 Days, tells of my experiences in jail. After being released from jail, I continued to live in exile. In 1982, I was killed by a letter bomb sent by government agents. I am Ruth First.

5. I protested social injustice using Gandhi’s nonviolent methods.  In 1952 I was banned for five years and imprisoned without a trial for six months. I am Fatima Meer.

6. I studied in the United States at the turn of the century. In 1913, I demonstrated against government laws that forced African women to carry passes. As we marched, we shouted, “We have done with pleading; we now demand!” I am Charlotte Maxeke.

7.  I was born abroad into a white privileged life, but I questioned the treatment of Black people in my adopted country. Side by side with my best friend, Lillian Ngoyi, I led an historic march in which more than 20,000 women demonstrated against injustice in  1956.  I am Helen Joseph.

8. I was a leader of a group that protested against pass laws for African women. My friend Helen Joseph and I led an historic march in which more than 20,000 women demonstrated in 1956.  I am Lillian Ngoyi.

9. I was arrested for treason.  Later in 1964, I was sentenced to life in prison. My book, The Peasants’ Revolt, was banned by the white minority government, which favored apartheid.  I am Govan Mbeki.

10. While working as a social worker, I became aware of the terrible poverty endured by most of the people in my country. Because of my long struggle against injustice, I experienced imprisonment, banning, and separation from my two small daughters. I am Winnie Mandela.

11. In 1960, my organization led an antipass protest in Sharpeville. The police opened fire and killed many unarmed protesters. When I was imprisoned on Robbens Island, the minority president, John Vorster, said he would keep me there until “this side of eternity.” I am Robert Sobukwe.

12. I was a Rhodes scholar and well-known white lawyer. Many believed I was destined for high office in my country. Instead, I joined the radical resistance against apartheid. For this I was put in prison in 1966.  After I died in prison, the government refused to give my ashes to my family. I am Bram Fischer.

13. In the 1950s, I helped to organize the Defiance Campaign. Eventually I was arrested and sentenced to life in prison with Nelson Mandela on Robbens Island. I was let out of prison in 1989.  I am Walter Sisulu.

14. In the early 1900s, I left my country for Britain and the United States to inform people about the Native Land Act. This law stripped Africans of most of their land. Without land, death and hunger stalked the people. I am Sol Plaatje.

15. In 1946, I helped to organize the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign. In South Africa, people of Indian descent were called colored. Uniting all people of color was one of my most important goals. I am Yusuf Dadoo.

16. I formed the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union in 1919 to protest unfair labor laws and to protect workers. I am Clements Kadalie.

17. When I was tried for treason I said, “I cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for…. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” I was imprisoned for 27 years and released in 1990.  I am Nelson Mandela.

18.  I formed an all-Black student group and became its first president. I spread my ideas about Black consciousness and Black power throughout my country. One day in 1977, government agents silenced my voice forever. I am Steve Biko.

19. I led the campaign to exclude my country from the Olympic games in the 1960s.  I believed this would force the apartheid government to change its racist policies. I am Dennis Brutus.

20. In 1962, I joined the military underground to fight for social justice. By the 1990s, I was a very popular political leader, and some said I was a likely candidate for president one day. However, my life ended on April 10, 1993, when I was gunned down by right-wing extremists in front of my family. I am Chris Hani.

21. I fought for social justice with my songs. For this, the government forced me to live in exile for thirty years. I am Miriam Makeba.

22. I was president of the African National Congress from 1952 until I died in 1967. In 1960, I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I am Albert Luthuli.

23. I am a bishop of the Anglican church, and I was an outspoken critic of apartheid. In 1984, I won the Nobel Peace Prize. I am Desmond Tutu.

24. I fought against apartheid with my pen. I was charged with treason, banned, placed under house arrest, and eventually forced to leave my country.  I died in exile in the Caribbean.  I am Alex La Gama.

From: Putting the Movement Back into Civil Rights Teaching, www.civilrightsteaching.org