There was a big crowd at the New Deal Open Mic night for the first-ever performance in Greenbelt of “Roosevelt Rap.” This telling of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s major life events was written by Jeffrey Urbin, Education Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and performed by our own Rebecca Holober (rapping) and Barbara Logan (ukulele percussion).  Video by Chris Logan.
“Roosevelt Rap” at the New Deal Cafe
posted in: Arts/Entertainment
Don Rich
Really enjoyed this. Creative and entertaining look at FDR’s life. And thanks to Rebecca and Barbara for performing. Any way to get a copy of that rap history? Should I contact Mr. Urbin?
Rebecca Holober
Hi Mr. Rich,
Please refer to https://archive.org/details/gov.fdr.46 for more details.
The Roosevelt Rap
Lyrics were written by Jeffrey Urbin, Education Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The Roosevelt Rap brings students a rhythmic time line of the major events in the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In just a four-minute fast-paced music video, students are introduced to over fifty facts and events comprising the life and times of President and Mrs. Roosevelt through historic photos and film. There is a handout of 52 questions that are raised in the Roosevelt Rap. They are designed to be used to test how well the students have been paying attention to the rap.
These questions can also be used as jumping off point for class discussions, as topics for homework or term paper assignments, or as prompting questions to accompany the primary source documents that have been provided. Students can also use their creative energies to perform the rap themselves using different types of music and art presentations.
Teachers can obtain the answer sheet by contacting the Education Specialist at http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/education/resources/rap.html
Jim Link
Bravo! What a great crowd! And Barbara’s wild hair! To die for……