1. What defines the American Dream?

2. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” -every citizens unalienable/legal rights -The United States Declaration of Independence

3. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 A US federal law that made everyone born in the America full citizens. A US federal law that made everyone born in the America full citizens. "All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other."

4. Southern United States still exploiting and segregating by race into the 1960s still exploiting and segregating by race into the 1960s African-Americans went North for a better life – to live “the American dream” African-Americans went North for a better life – to live “the American dream” only to find the similar exploitation and frustration only to find the similar exploitation and frustration

5. May 17, 1954 May 17, 1954 –The Supreme Court rules on the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas, unanimously agreeing that segregation in public school is unconstitutional July 2, 1964 July 2, 1964 –President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation. August 10, 1965 August 10, 1965 –Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and other such requirements that were used to restrict black voting are made illegal. September 24, 1965 September 24, 1965 –Asserting that civil rights laws alone are not enough to remedy discrimination, President Johnson issues Executive Order 11246, which enforces affirmative action for the first time. It requires government contractors to "take affirmative action" toward prospective minority employees in all aspects of hiring and employment. April 11, 1968 April 11, 1968 –President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.

6. A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of the Younger family’s struggling to realize the dream by escaping ghetto life tells the story of the Younger family’s struggling to realize the dream by escaping ghetto life a life of African-Americans who have few choices in a white society a life of African-Americans who have few choices in a white society reflects the racial attitudes of the 1950s reflects the racial attitudes of the 1950s

7. Setting: Time: 1950s Place: Chicago’s South Side

8. What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like “a raisin in the sun”? THINK:

23. “Dream Deferred” What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar over— Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Langston Hughes