Jesse Owens Writing Prompts

Name ______Date ______

Select one of the following prompts and use it to construct a writing sample. It must be typed and at least one page in length. You must use class notes as evidence.

I. How did Jesse Owens contribute to African American equality? Explore the following questions:  How does one become a catalyst for change?  What are the challenges faced by those who take a stand for change?  What part does celebrity play in cultural change?\

II. Three different types of people may have been watching the 1936 Olympics. ((Nazi Supporter, Fellow Athlete, and African American) Think about the emotions each group may have felt watching Jesse Owens' victories during the track and field events. Select one of the roles.  Pretend to be a Nazi, an athlete, or an African American.  From the point of view of your selected role, write a letter to Jesse Owens describing your political beliefs and feelings about his accomplishments during the Olympic games. (You may want to consider the Nazi Party's views and the state of the Civil Rights Movement in America in 1936.)