Seizing Opportunities: Yes, She Can!

The document under study is news report from CBC News, published in 2018. It deals with the mid-terms of 2018 when for the first time several women from different ethnic groups were elected to the House of Representatives. These women made history. 

The first woman mentioned is Rachida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American and a Muslim as Ilhan Omar, Somali-American and a former refugee. Moreover, there were two Native American women, Sharice Davids and Deb Hallen.

(We will continue the study of the video next time. Be ready!)

Homework: Lean the lesson.

Seizing Opportunities: Yes, She Can!

The document under study is a video from CBC News, it is a news report about the election of new representatives for Congress in the USA. They were elected during the mid-terms in 2018. The particularity of the new representatives is that there were several women who were elected. On top of that, these women all belonged to different ethnic groups. They made history.

The first one mentioned is Rachida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American. The second one is Ilhan Omar, Somali-American Muslim and a former refugee. Then, there were two Native American women mentioned; Sharice Davids and Deb Hallen.

(We will continue the study of the video next time. be ready!)

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Text B

The document under study is an extract from a novel entitled “The Edible Woman”, written by Margaret Atwood in 1969. In this extract, the main character is reflecting over her life and career. She comes to the conclusion that she has studied too much and is now overqualified as a result she cannot suit the society she lives in and find a suitable job. Indeed, she is too impressive as a woman.

The main character is going through an unfair situation. She is living a form of injustice. Indeed, she is being discriminated against just because she as too many degrees for a woman.  She is struggling against glass-ceiling. She is the example of woman who face discrimination in the working world.

Common points and conclusion of the two texts:

The two characters are being criticized, discriminated and prejudiced against because of their gender. On top of that, both of them are women that are limited to other’s expectations. In fact, they cannot emancipate because it was decided that it is not their role and that they cannot be qualified and have a suitable job. Those women accuse the society because even if they are capable, they want them to give birth and to stay underneath men and not above them. Unfortunately, it is as if women could not free themselves from the way society perceive them.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Facing Challenges 

Text A

The document under study is an extract from a novel entitled “Stay with Me”, written by A. Adabayo, published in 2017. There are two characters, Yejide and her mother-in-law Moomi. 

Yejide is being criticized by her mother-in-law because she has not had children with her son yet. Her mother-in-law seems furious about it. Indeed, Yejide is being blame as if she wereresponsible for this situation. Besides, even her identity is being denied just because she has not given birth yet “nobody should call you a woman”. 

The message the author would like to convey is that, first of all, women are reduced to motherhood and do not have the support from fellow women/counterparts. Indeed,  women are not only meant to be mothers. In fact, women should be allowed to do whatever they wish to do without feeling the need to express their choices. 

(We will continue the study of the two texts next time. Be ready!)

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Hedy Lamarr

We have learned about Hedy Lamarr who was a famous American woman, an actress in Hollywood, a scientist and an inventor. She was active in the 1940s. Google decided to honor her with a doodle because she had an extraordinary life. Indeed, she was not only a well-known actress, but also a renowned scientist who invented a system to prevent the Germans from spying the USA during WWII. She used Morse signals through radio waves to communicate from afar. Her discovery led to the invention of Wi-Fi. 

Her invention has a great impact on our daily lives. Indeed, if she had not invented this system, we would not be able to use wireless connection today.

Unit 4: Multicultural New Zealand

To what extent have Pakehas and Maoris paved the way for a multicultural future in New Zealand.

Multicultural New Zealand

Multiculturalism in New Zealand is the presence of people with different cultures living together, including Europeans, Americans, Africans, Asians… plus the Native people from New Zealand, the Maori people. It is about be able to live together despite the differences, accepting one another and respecting one another to live in unity.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 4: Women of Power

To what extent have women used the public sphere as a platform for empowerment?

Axe 2: Public and Pricate Spaces

Michelle Obama’s Education

The document under study is a video of an interview of Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the USA. We have learned that, as a little girl, Michelle was having piano lessons from her aunt Robbie at the age of 4. Michelle was learning very fast just by hearing the scale, however, her aunt Robbie had another method to teach and wanted to apply it to Michelle. Nevertheless, Michelle did not like it. Michelle parents encouraged her to speak her mind because what she had to say was relevant and meaningful. Moreover, she was encouraged to share her feelings because they were real and not only to speak when spoken to. Her parents believed that acting this way would help her build her personality. Hence, the education and the advice she received as a young girl were the basis for her to become a future First Lady and have a lot of influence not only in the USA but in the world.

Homework: Learn the lesson.