Author Seeks to Change How People View the South
Ask Students: Who is Imani Perry, and what is her background? What critical contributions has the South made to the United States, according to Perry?
Summary
In her new book “South to America,” author Imani Perry seeks to change how people view the American South and, thus, the country’s history as a whole. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Perry, who traveled through the southern regions of the U.S. and explored the complexities and misperceptions she found along the way.
Imani Perry and South to America: Discussion Questions
- Who is Imani Perry, and what is her background?
- Where did Perry grow up? What was it like for her?
- What critical contributions has the South made to the United States, according to Perry?
- Why has the South been mischaracterized by many, according to Perry?
- How is Southern culture and history reflected in other parts of the United States, according to Perry?
Focus Questions
Why do you think Perry thought is was important to write this book? How might changing perceptions of the South help heal divisions in the U.S.?
Media literacy: What expertise, fact gathering or knowledge did Perry draw from to make her book?
Additional Resources
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Extra.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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