African American Women of the Old West
- 20 general chapter questions:
- How do you think it was possible for the women who suffered such discrimination to persevere? Did looking beyond themselves to the next generation play a part in their ability to be so strong?
- If you could have lived the life of any character in the book who would it be? Conversely, which character would you least like to have been and why?
- Why is it some people are able to overcome such incredible odds, rise above, and pave the way for others? What prevents someone from doing this?
- Do you see a correlation between a nation not speaking up against slavery and a world that did not speak up about Nazi Germany in their treatment of the Jews? If so, how?
- Why was it women were the ones more often than men who took it upon themselves to “civilize” towns? Is it true today that women offer society refinement and polish? How so?
- Do you think it is important for children to have role models from their own race? Does color matter in this regard? Why or why not?
- Do you think the women in the book ever thought their trailblazing efforts would one day be recognized? Do you think they saw themselves as trailblazers? Which woman blazed a path for others the most?
- Prejudice can be described as a distrust/dislike for those unlike ourselves. What are some motivating factors behind prejudice? What is it about skin color that so divides the human race?
- Which story/character moved you the most and why? Which character in the book can you identify with the most and why?
- Are women better equipped to cope with loss in their lives than men? If so, how? Could you find the same strength if you needed to?
- What do you think is the underlying factor that has caused African American women to be overlooked for so long?
- What surprised you most about the book? Any character in particular?
- How does an abused woman find the strength to go on? What is it that beats one woman down, but empowers another?
- How did the women’s spirituality and faith factor in their ability to succeed?
- How did the women in the stories find the strength to keep silent when they or their children were mistreated?
- Which minor character in the book did you feel the most contempt for and why?
- When can fear be a motivating factor? Which character in the book did not let fear run her life?
- What incident/person vexed you most in the book?
- Whose life did you feel was the most difficult and why?
- Why do all societies stratify themselves with one group claiming superiority over the other?
