Parent Guide > "Shut the Door" Speech
Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.
This week in class, we’re reading ""Shut the Door" Speech" by Senator Ellison DuRant Smith.
During a 1924 congressional debate on immigration, a senator from South Carolina argued that we should "shut the door and breed up a pure, unadulterated American citizen."
As we read, we will be discussing the themes of America and Prejudice & Discrimination as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :
"How has America changed over time?" and "What are the effects of prejudice?"
Ways to support your child:
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Ask your child about this speech at home:
- What was ""Shut the Door" Speech" about?
- What did you learn about America?
- What did you learn about Prejudice & Discrimination?
- Watch the following clips with your child at home: