One of our recent English lessons was very different from our usual classes. Instead of working with textbooks or discussing literature, the courses majoring in English had the opportunity to listen to a special guest speaker named Jacqueline Gompf. She visited our school to share her personal experiences with segregation in the United States and to talk about the Civil Rights Movement. It was an unforgettable lesson that combined history, personal experience, and important life lessons.
Jackie began by introducing herself and telling us about her childhood. She was born in the late 1930s in New York to an African mother and a Native American father. She described what it was like to grow up during a time when open racism and segregation were still part of everyday life for African Americans, and she told us some very interesting and touching anecdotes about her youth. Through her personal stories, we learned how unfairly people of color were treated and how deeply those prejudices were anchored in people's minds. Hearing about these experiences from someone who had actually lived through them made the topic much more powerful than simply reading about it in a book.
During her presentation, Jackie also explained the historical background of segregation and the fight for freedom and equal rights. She spoke about the importance of the Civil Rights Movement and her connection to two of its most influential leaders: Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She told us about some of the speeches she had the chance to listen to, and how she even had the chance to shake MLK’s hand and have a short conversation with him. Even though the two freedom fighters had different ideas about how to achieve equality, she sees them both as "saviors". The impact of Malcolm X on Jackie was so strong that she even named her own son after him. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in peaceful protest and non-violent resistance, whereas Malcolm X initially supported a rather radical approach and encouraged people to defend themselves against injustice. Jackie made us understand why both figures played such an important role for her and in American history.
Another interesting part of the conversation was the discussion about how Europe differs from America in terms of racism. Jackie first visited Europe in 1963, before the Civil Rights Act, which granted Black Americans the right to vote, was passed. She shared that Europe was the first place where she finally wasn‘t scared of being in the wrong place, and where she finally learned to be proud of being Black. That is the reason why she decided to stay here from 1966 onwards.
The conversation was not only informative but also very moving. Many students were impressed by Jackie’s openness and honesty. Her personal experiences gave us a unique insight into a difficult chapter of history and showed us the importance of standing up for our rights, for freedom, and learning from the past. We also had the chance to ask Jackie questions, which made the lesson even more interactive and engaging. In the end, Jackie appealed to us to never stop smiling and laughing, to always be grateful, to live healthily, and to keep a positive mindset, even in bad times.
Overall, this special English lesson was an enriching experience for everyone in the K1 English LK. It reminded us that history is not just about dates and facts, but about real people and their lives. We would like to thank Jackie for taking the time to visit our school and for sharing her inspiring story with us. Her visit encouraged us to reflect on the values of equality, justice, and respect, which remain just as important today as they were during the Civil Rights Movement.
Leonie Etienne, K2
