Pauli Murray's America Unit 14
Learning Objective:
Students will analyze possible motivations for Pauli Murray to transition from lawyer to priesthood and the implications of Murray’s Sainthood; explore mental health considerations as they reference Murray’s father in Proud Shoes and primary sources from “Notes to Self;” and engage in independent reflection and group discussion about Proud Shoes.
Key Civics Themes:
-
Rights and Responsibilities: After discussing Murray’s thoughts on their transition to the priesthood, discuss: How do legal and religious institutions shape ideas of justice and responsibility? What are the ethical responsibilities of individuals working in law and activism? How does Murray’s sainthood impact how we view civic engagement and moral leadership?
-
Role of the Individual: Students research and discuss various pathways to civic engagements. How can individuals use different platforms (law, religion, literature) to create social change? What civic roles are available for people beyond traditional political activism? Students create a personal diagram mapping their skills, values, and potential civic roles they see for themselves (e.g., advocate, writer, teacher, organizer).
-
Power and Politics: Students identify and analyze the different forms of power Murray wielded to accomplish their work: legal, literary, religious, symbolic (as a saint). How do law and religion each shape political and social power? Murray’s father’s struggles (as explored in Proud Shoes) highlight historical stigma and disparities in mental healthcare, especially for Black Americans. How does mental health intersect with civil rights and policy decisions?
-
Active Engagement: Proud Shoes offers a deeply personal narrative of identity, privilege, and oppression. Students will reflect on their own experiences with inequality. In what ways can students apply Murray’s legal, literary, or spiritual activism to current issues? What local or global movements reflect Murray’s intersectional approach to justice, and how can students contribute to those movements?
Activities:
-
-
How would you describe Pauli’s appreciation of the church, religion, and/or spirituality?
-
How would you describe Pauli’s perception and understanding of gender?
-
Group discussion about Proud Shoes
-
How does Pauli reference their father in Proud Shoes? How did Pauli introduce the subject of mental health considerations?
-
Reflect back on Pauli’s “Notes to Self” and letters to doctors. How did Pauli reference their own mental health? What might have been contributing factors to Pauli’s “terrific breakdowns”?
-
How does Murray use personal and family history to challenge mainstream historical narratives about race in America?
-
How does Murray blend memoir and history to make larger arguments about race and identity?
-
How do different characters use education as a form of empowerment and resistance? How does this connect to current discussions about access to education and systemic inequality?
-
How does Murray’s family history influence their lifelong activism?
