Parent Guide > Bury Me in a Free Land

This week in class, we’re reading "Bury Me in a Free Land" by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

In "Bury Me in a Free Land," a speaker denounces slavery by making an impassioned plea that her body never be buried where it is practiced.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Death, Fate & Free Will, and Prejudice & Discrimination as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"How do people face death?", "Can we control our fate?", and "What are the effects of prejudice?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this poem at home:
  • What was "Bury Me in a Free Land" about?
  • What did you learn about Death?
  • What did you learn about Fate & Free Will?
  • What did you learn about Prejudice & Discrimination?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • '“We Are Bound Up Together” - Frances Ellen Watkins Harper | New York Historical Society'
  • '“Bury Me in a Free Land” (Frances Ellen Watkins Harper) | Christoph Holzhöpher'
  • '“Bury Me in a Free Land” - Frances Ellen Watkins Harper | Black Art X. Literature'