Citizen: An American Lyric

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Consider the history of race in American society. In which ways is systematic racism linked with the history of racism in the US?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the broader theme of The Lie of “Post-Racial” America in the context of structural racism. Rankine’s text challenges the idea that the US is now a post-racial nation through examples of Microaggression that many people of color (i.e., “[B]lack bodies”) experience in their daily life. While Rankine’s text is neither an overview of the historical foundations of race nor history lesson of race relations in the US, she refers to several systems that perpetuate white nationalist power and oppression, such as the Ku Klux Klan, Jim Crow, and slavery. To ensure students understand these systems prior to reading, consider providing access to or reviewing the links below, which provide important historical and sociological entry points into the broader discussion of race in American society.

• This article from the National Museum of African American History & Culture provides an extensive overview of the construction of racial identity and inequity in history.
• This article from Stanford University explores systematic racism and racial justice in America.

Short Activity

Rankine writes her text from the second-person point of view. Working in small groups, research a piece of literature that is written in the second person. Select one of these pieces and share a summary with the class. What is the intended effect of using this form of narration in the text? Does this particular piece use second person to convey any themes, such as Microaggressions, The Lie of “Post-Racial” America, or Citizenship? If so, how?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to consider the second-person narration style in the context of literary voice. For an added element of creative writing that is an extension of this Short Activity as well as the below Personal Connection Prompt, the following exercise may be added: Using the second-person narrative style, write a one-page creative piece that approaches the subject of citizenship and belonging. Share your piece and discuss your intentions with the class.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who struggle with attention, time management, and/or reading fluency may benefit from a provided list of texts written in the second-person point of view to choose from. Advanced or technologically inclined students who would benefit from additional analysis might approach the Short Activity in the form of an analytical essay or video, while lower-level students or classes short on time may appreciate a printed excerpt to analyze and discuss with peers in advance.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Consider the relationship between the terms “citizenship” and “belonging.” What does it mean to belong? What does it mean to be a citizen? Are these terms mutually inclusive or exclusive? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question invites students to consider the meaning of the term Citizenship as it relates to community and belonging in American society. The title of Rankine’s text (i.e., Citizen) is somewhat ironic as it highlights injustice that many citizens feel in the US: that being a citizen in the US does not equate to feeling as if one belongs in the American public sphere. You might consider approaching this prompt in a more personal way by asking students to volunteer their opinions on the subject in a class-wide discussion, which may give students with dual citizenship and/or transnational families the opportunity to share their voices and experiences. This Prompt segues directly to the Discussion/Analysis Prompt.

• This article from the Journal of the Association for Political and Legal Anthropology discusses the paradox of citizenship in terms of transnational belonging.