Module 4: Social Studies Poetry

Module 4: Social Studies Poetry 

Freedom in Congo Square

Ivana Marmolejo

Bibliography

Weatherford, Carole Boston, and R. Gregory Christie. Freedom in Congo Square. New York, NY: Little Bee Books, 2016. 

Summary

Freedom in Congo Square tells of the harsh conditions that slaves endured, the laborious tasks they did day in and out, and delicately touches on some of the abuse they experienced. The author takes the reader through each day of the week in the life of an enslaved person, hoping to make it to Sunday, a sacred Sunday, in Congo Square. Congo Square was a place where slaves and free people could meet to live, laugh, share news, dance, play music, and be themselves. This book is a beautifully written single poem spread across twenty-eight pages. The pages are thick with a matte finish and feel strong in the hands of the reader. The book gives a historical background into Congo Square, opening with a foreward and ending with a glossary and Author’s Note. 

Analysis

All readers will love reading this informative book about enslaved people and Congo Square. The illustrations are vivid and detailed, depicting each day in the life of a slave. For every line in the poem, there is a picture to represent what slaves endured. Emotion exudes from every line and page. The tone is an ugly truth but also gives a glimmer of hope. As the author takes the reader through each day, the reader will find himself eager to reach Sunday, too. The book touches on many topics: the work enslaved people had to do for others, being treated unfairly and inhumanely, raising the children of whites, spirituality, attempting to escape, death, hope, music, and togetherness. 

Because the poem rhymes, it makes for an easy read. The reader can sense the rhythm and is almost musical, just as the author portrays music as essential for slaves on Sunday in Congo Square. An example is, “Fridays, there were crops to pick,/ trees to prune, and walls to brick./ Run away, run away. Some slaves dared./ Two more days to Congo Square.”

Excerpt and Use

All parts of this poem can be used for learning. I want the point of the lesson to be empathy. Students will read what slaves had to do every Saturday. Students will discuss and elaborate on the picture, including fanning a white person and what that means on a human level. 

Students will reflect on what their Saturdays are like. Students probably would mention getting to sleep in or waking up early to play sports or an activity they enjoy. They might have breakfast and watch TV, etc. Students will discuss what the children of slaves were doing on their Saturdays. Lastly, students will discuss why Sundays in Congo Square were something all slaves could look forward to in Louisiana.