What Does American Democracy Mean to Me – Nov. 23,
1939
Mary McLeod Bethune
November 23, 1939— New York, New York
America’s Town Meeting of the Air
Mary McLeod Bethune was a significant change agent for the African American community.
She was an important voice in relaying the ideas, causes, concerns and desires of minority
communities. Her views on American Democracy were important in 1939 and are just as
important in 2024, almost eighty-four years later.
Your assignment is to:
1. Read in its entirety Ms. Bethune’s speech entitled “What Does American Democracy
Mean to Me.”
2. Write a minimum 3-page synopsis of the speech to include your assessment of a.) her
description of democracy and what it meant to Black people in 1939; b.) what Ms.
Bethune’s main points and ideas are in the speech; c.) compare and contrast the political,
social, economic, educational, etc. status of Black people in 1939 to 2024 and how this
speech is applicable to the two different generations; d.) end with what would Ms.
Bethune think of American Democracy today?
3. Utilize various resources (other data/articles regarding this speech) to assist in your
understanding/analyzing of the contents of the speech. Use your investigative/research
skills to pull the speech apart to ensure your best response to the assignment.
4. YOUR SUBMISSION SHOULD BE DOUBLE SPACED, TIMES NEW ROMAN,
12 FT.
5. PAGES ARE TO BE FULL/COMPLETE TYPED PAGES, WRITTEN IN ESSAY
STYLE. Please include a cover page.
6. Work independently – any papers that are duplicates (same as another student’s) will
not be accepted and will be discarded