Engage students in a discussion about race, racism, and the experience of Black Americans in the greater narrative of American immigration in this video from the American Masters film Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. Support materials include discussion questions and ideas for extending learning in the classroom. In addition, Dr. Jocelyn Chadwick shares a multi-day lesson plan for pairing the video with the study of Morrison’s only published short story, “Recitatif.”

About the film: Toni Morrison is truly an American treasure, a writer all students should encounter and critically examine as part of their journey in understanding American identity. The film, directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, presents the extraordinary life and artistry of Toni Morrison. An artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller, the film shares her life, her works, and the powerful themes she confronted throughout her literary career. She was the author of 11 novels, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, the American Book Award, and the Nobel Prize for Literature. She was also an educator and activist. In this resource, explore how blending text with the film’s content can foster engaged inquiry among students to bring relevance to their here and now.