“Why should they let their enemy decide their future”?

1. By: Melissa Kerst, Marianne Schultz, Adonia Steele & Monica Vernon “Why should they let their enemy decide their future”?

2. Chain of Fire is the story of a village who fights back against the South African government when they try to uproot them from their homes and relocate them to their “homeland”. Naledi, inspired by her friend, Taolo, joins together with the other children in the village to create a chain of resistance. Experience the challenges and successes of these brave people through their own eyes in the creation of eight “I am” poems. Although we showcase their individual voices, they have shown that they speak with one, clear voice and they will not back down from their freedom that “lies at the end of a long road” (p. 240).

3. I am Naledi I am Naledi, age 15. I wonder when we, the people of Bophelong, South Africa, will be treated equally. I hear the tears my neighbors cry at night. I see injustice. I want to stay in this place we call home. I am Naledi, age 15. I pretend like I am brave. I feel scared even though I know we need to stand up to the government. I love my family and the home they have built here. I touch my ailing grandmother and wonder, how will we make it through this? I worry about the safety of my friends and family and about what our futures will be. I am Naledi, age 15. I understand the world is not a perfect place but why can’t they leave us alone? I say “How could people with eyes, ears, and hearts do such things to other human beings?” I dream this will all be over soon and we will win the struggle. I try to fight hard and do what is right. I hope for a better tomorrow. I am Naledi, age 15.

4. I am Tiro I am Tiro, young and courageous. I wonder about my family and if we will be forced to move. I hear stories of my big sister getting beat and it makes me angry. I see my Naledi changing and being brave like Taolo, I must join them! I want to stand up to the government, I won’t back down! I am Tiro, young and courageous. I pretend I am not afraid. I feel hatred against all the injustice. I love my family and hate to see their pain and worry. I touch the fence keeping me from freedom. I worry “they” are going to kill me. I am never backing down! I understand I may be arrested. I say angrily, “We should have guns like them.”(p. 98) I dream that Nono regains her strength. I try to ignore the pain of my dog, bitten foot. I hope that our “terrorism” gives us our homes back. I am Tiro, young and courageous.

5. I Am Dineo • I am Dineo, young sister to Naledi, small and scared. • I wondered what painted numbers meant on our door. • I hear my family talk but I don’t understand. • I see my family and friends worry about what the government will do to us. • I want to be brave. • I am Dineo, young sister to Naledi, small and scared. • I pretend and try not be hungry but sometimes I can’t. • I feel helpless when I am left at home with Nono. Will she survive? • I love Nono, Naldei and Tiro and Mma. • I touch and hold onto Nono when I am scared! • I worry that if Naldei and Tiro can’t get me food and water, I might get sick again. • I am Dineo, young sister to Naledi, small and scared. • I understand that my family may be forced to moved from Bop. • I say hardly anything because I do not undertsand. • I dream of having a home again with my family. • I try to keep up, but I get tired so easily. • I hope my Mma comes home soon from the white farm. • I am Dineo, young sister to Naledi, small and scared.

6. I am Nono I am Nono I wonder who will take care of my grandchildren when I am gone I hear the cries of my people as they try to move us to Bophuthatswana I see families hurting and torn apart I want my grandchildren to have a better life I am Nono I pretend things will change on their own and people will realize what they are doing is wrong I feel pride that I have such a strong granddaughter I love this village and the people in it I touch Naledi as she helps me to my bed I worry the children will be hurt in the resisitance I am Nono I understand what must be done I say I love you with my eyes I dream of my grandchildren getting an education I try to hold on so I don’t abandon my family I hope that they will live a life not in fear I am Nono

7. I am Taolo I am Taolo, an enduring fighter. I wonder if Naledi will stand up to MrMolaba. I hear my father’s voice encouraging me to fight. I see MmaTshadi looking for my father and me, our people believe in us. I want to end this apartheid! I am Taolo, an enduring fighter. I pretend the government’s weapons won’t stop me. I feel Naledi’s courage growing. I love my father and his ability to never give up. I touch Naledi’s hand as our “chain” forms. I worry Naledi will get hurt if she follows me too closely. I am Taolo, an enduring fighter. I understand they may kill my family. I say, “There’s not just one way of fighting.” (p. 38) I dream that our courage stops the white people from bulldozing our homes. I try to stay strong without my father. I hope my father’s memory remains in spirit. I am Taolo, a fighter.

8. I am MmaDikobe I am Mma Dikobe I wonder why we must suffer I hear the worry in others voices I see the pain and fear in their eyes I want my family to be left alone I am Mma Dikobe I pretend that I am not afraid I feel angry and hatred towards them for taking my husband and son I love them dearly I touch my patients with tenderness to ease their pain I worry that we will not win this battle I am Mma Dikobe I understand that we are stronger unified than divided I say “we must speak with one voice” I dream that my family will live in peace I try to stay strong and protect the young children I hope that my strength does not fail me I am Mma Dikobe

9. I Am Rev. Radebe • I am Rev. Radebe, the leader of the largest congregation in Boomdal. • I wonder how I can help the people of Bophelong without getting caught? • I hear the cries of the young. • I see the anger and saddness in the old. • I want to help the village against their struggle with the government yet I struggle to understand it. • I am Rev. Radebe, the leader of the largest congregation in Boomdal. • I pretend to have come to school only for prayer purposes, but must help organize a resistance group. • I feel we must get outside advice to see how to make the world aware of our situation. • I love my mission and preaching in times of need. • I touch the people with my prayers and words of wisdom. • I worry about how we will survive. • I am Rev. Radebe, the leader of the largest congregation in Boomdal. • I understand I am a man of religion. • I say to have courage, faith and hope. • I dream that my words of encouragement and effort will help Naledi . • I try to bring news • I hope this madness will stop and for courage and faith for my people. • I am Rev. Radebe, the leader of the largest congregation in Boomdal.

10. I am Mma Tshadi I am Mma Tshadi, a believer. I wonder when the government will get the hint- We can not be defeated! I hear the police raiding homes, but they do not scare me. I see the pain the villagers feel, and it saddens me. I want the villagers to stick together. We are stronger together. I am Mma Tshadi, a believer. I pretend this is not happening, but it is, and I feel honored that I was chosen to represent the villagers . I love my village and my neighbors. I touch the letter we wrote detailing our feelings of the removel and it makes me proud! I worry that the others will one day lose strength. I am Mma Tshadi, a believer. I understand this will not be easy. I say “Praying by itself is not enough” We need to fight, no matter how hard it is! I dream about freedom. I tryto be the strength for the village. I hope we’ll win this sooner than later. I am Mma Tshadi, a believer. I will not give up!! A symbol of Mma Tshadi’s role in the “chain” of strength in the village.

11. There are many parallels between the South African apartheid, as described in Chain of Fire, and the American Civil Rights Movement…. South African Apartheid American Civil Rights Movement

12. Parallels between Chain of Fire and The Civil Rights Movement • As a group, we agreed that many elements of Chain of Fire highlight some of the key events during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Chain of Fire: In our novel, Naledi and her close friends and family fight for the rights to live in their homes, go to school, pray, etc. Throughout the story, her family is forced to move, houses are burned, people are killed, her school is shut down, and her friends are known as “terriorists.” In Chain of Fire, the story is told with “the government” being the ones to go against the Africans. Civil Rights Movement: In the United States, the president on several different occasions had to federalize governors of the south in order to protect the African Americans. In a way, it was a fight within the system.

13. Parallels between Chain of Fire and The Civil Rights Movement Cont. • Several different incidents are much like small stories that happened in Chain of Fire. These are bits of the Civil Rights movement that directly affected schools: • “Little Rock Nine”- 9 African American student went to Central High school and the students retaliated. The governor of Arkansas sent the National Guard to remove the black students. The president of the U.S. had to send in forces to protect the 9 students. • In 1963, the governor of Alabama was George Wallace who held strongly to his slogan of “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” He appointed himself the registar of the University of Alabama and literately stood in the doorway refusing to let African American students register. • Also that year, a bomb in Birmingham killed four young girls who were attending a church service during the fight for desegregation.

14. Parallels between Chain of Fire and The Civil Rights Movement Cont. • Making the connection between the Chain of Fire and the Civil Rights Movement of the United States, helped us bring this story home. We could feel the struggle, hurt, and anger the family and village was going through as they lost their school and homes. As similar elements are part of our history, it was very easy to get emotionally involved in Naledi’s story. • Teaching Ideas: This novel can be used to study the key elements of the time period where blacks and whites were not considered equal. We also feel that this novel can be interpreted differently by different ages and could be used to study many different aspects of African American literature or elements of the time period.

15. Sound Track… Right on, babyRight onRight onMother, motherEverybody thinks we're wrongOh, but who are they to judge usSimply because our hair is longOh, you know we've got to find a wayTo bring some understanding here today Marvin Gaye • What’s going on Mother, motherThere's too many of you cryingBrother, brother, brotherThere's far too many of you dyingYou know we've got to find a wayTo bring some lovin' here today, yeah Father, fatherWe don't need to escalateYou see, war is not the answerFor only love can conquer hateYou know we've got to find a wayTo bring some lovin' here today Picket lines and picket signsDon't punish me with brutalityCome on talk to meSo you can seeWhat's going onWhat's going onTell me what's going onI'll tell you ya, what's going onRight on, babyRight on, babyRight on, baby Picket lines and picket signsDon't punish me with brutalityTalk to meSo you can seeOh, what's going onWhat's going onWhat's going onWhat's going on