Big Black Good Man

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the short story.

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”

When you check into a hotel, go into a store, or even walk into school, what reactions do you think people have of you? How do people typically treat you, and do you think this treatment parallels what that person is thinking of you?

Teaching Suggestion: This “icebreaker” can help students think of Jim’s experience with Olaf before reading the book. Because Jim has limited narration, and his point of view is not explored in the story, a pre-reading brainstorm of the ways in which people place judgment on us will help students empathize with Jim.

• "How We Judge Others is How We Judge Ourselves" : Mark Manson’s analysis of the reasons why we judge others. These ideas can help students understand Olaf’s feeling of inferiority next to Jim.

Post-Reading Analysis

Wright highlights Olaf’s lack of self-awareness about his racist proclivities through a careful inclusion of a racist lexicon. Break down Wright’s use of racist language in a study that unveils Olaf’s unconscious biases.

Racist Lexicon

Ex.

“…he didn’t seem human. Too big, too black, too loud, too direct and probably too violent to boot”. (Paragraph 13)

What does this reveal about Olaf’s characterization or relationship with race?

Teaching Suggestion: In this post-reading analysis, students are asked to focus their analysis on Wright’s use of racist terminology in the context of a character who doesn’t have the self-awareness to analyze his suspicions of Jim, who is an honest paying customer. A study of language will help students see the significance of Wright’s “ah-ha” moment by juxtaposing Olaf before the “chokehold” and after.

• "Understanding Unconscious Bias": The Royal Society breaks down the workings and implications of unconscious bias.
•  "The Difference Between Not Racist and Anti-Racist" : a TED Talk featuring author Ibram X. Kendi’s differentiation between “not racist” and “anti-racist”