Story Publication logo June 7, 2022

'I am Omar' in Schools

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The Post and Courier hunts for clues to the only enslaved person in the U.S. to pen an extant...

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The Pulitzer Center education team partnered with The Post and Courier to create a comprehensive lesson plan to accompany the Pulitzer Center-supported project I am Omar.

The project details the life of Omar ibn Said, a Muslim scholar from Senegal who was enslaved in South Carolina. Due to his high literacy and reported conversion to Christianity, his story became notable. His is the only surviving autobiography penned in Arabic by an enslaved person in America. His writings were made public by the Library of Congress in 2017, inspiring the Post and Courier reporting project and this subsequent Pulitzer Center lesson plan.


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This lesson plan is designed to support educators in teaching the history of Omar ibn Said's story through this reporting. The lesson plan includes key vocabulary, printable comprehension and discussion questions, and extension activities that encourage a variety of skills. Students can use writing, photography, and mapping to connect the story to their own lives. You can view the lesson plan below or by clicking here


As a nonprofit journalism organization, we depend on your support to fund critical stories in local U.S. newsrooms. Donate any amount today to become a Pulitzer Center Champion and receive exclusive benefits!


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