You can blow out a candle
But you can’t blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher

-Excerpt from Biko by Peter Gabriel

Stephen Bantu Biko helped lead what became known as the Black Consciousness Movement. This anti-apartheid movement promoted self-reliance and self-respect among blacks. Biko argued that blacks could end white domination only if they freed themselves from self-doubt that had resulted from centuries of domination by whites. Large numbers of Biko’s supporters took part in protests, strikes, and marches against the government. Because of Biko’s popularity, the government began to view him as a security threat and arrested him in August 1977. He died in prison less than a month later. An autopsy showed that he died of untreated head injuries. Evidence indicated that Biko’s jailers had caused the injuries.

Learning about Stephen Biko today will help us to understand the conflict in The Color of Friendship. Our classes will join Mrs. Turner’s classes to watch the movie in class tomorrow. Breaking news: Bring a HEALTHY SNACK for class TOMORROW (no candy sweet treats or food that will make your fingers turn cheesy yellow)!

Important News & Notes:
1. Bring a healthy snack for the movie tomorrow! Fun, fun!!
2. Read and complete your choice of Power/STAR/Cornell notes on Chapter 17: Section 4 . Notes are due this Friday, February 5th.
3. Be thinking and planning for your Africa extension project. Which method of presentation are you and your partner going to choose?

Cool Stuff: Click below for the Biko song and PowerPoint
Biko song
Stephen Biko powerpoint