A Silence that Speaks Volumes

The document under study is a news report from CBS Evening News published in 2016. It deals with the famous African-American Olympians’ protest on the victory stand during the Mexico Olympics of 1968. We can hear Tommie Smith being interviewed telling how he felt during his protest gesture. Moreover, he explains the reasons why they felt the need to protest at the time to denounce racial inequality in the USA. Indeed, even though through the Civil Rights act of 1964, discriminations were considered illegal it still continued to that day. Their act of protest was controversial: the two athletes were banned from the Olympic Village and banished from the future Olympic Games. Nevertheless, their action could create greater opportunity for people that followed.

They were honored 50 years later at the White House by President Obama because their action inspired others and had an impact on the society. Through his gesture, Obama wanted to make up for the injustice that happened at the time toward Smith and Carlos. On top of that, as an Africa-American citizen himself, he felt it was his duty to make them feel honored for their act of protest. Besides, Obama also wanted to restore the government’s dignity through this action in order to give a better image of the American institutions.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

A Silence that Speaks Volumes (part 1)

The document under study is a news report from CBS News, published in 2016. It deals with the story of African-American Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos who were finally honored at the White House for their achievement by President Obama. Indeed, they had taken part in the Mexico Olympic games of 1968 where they protested on the victory stand to denounce racial inequalities in the USA at the time. Their act of protest was greatly controversial. As a consequence, they were banished from the Olympic village. On top of that, their medals and titles were taken away.

At the time, the athletes felt the need to protest on the victory stand because, even though segregation became illegal thanks to the Civil Rights Act of 1968, black people were still suffering from discriminations. Indeed, they won 2 medals for a country where there were still many inequalities between Blacks and Whites.

They were honored 50 years later because their protest still has an impact on today’s world, they opened opportunities for other influential people to speak out and denounce injustices.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

They Lived to Tell the Tale

Text A

The document under study is an autobiography

Of Frederick Douglass, published in 1845. In this

Extract, he mentions a childhood episode telling about the fact that contrary to white children who knew their age, black slaves did not have that privilege. In fact, questions were frowned upon by the masters to let slaves in their ignorance. Indeed, slaves were reduced to being mere properties and treated like horses. It was a dehumanizing process.  

Text B

The document under study is an extract of a speech pronounced by Frederick Douglass on July 4^th 1852. In this extract, he was explaining what the 4^th of July meant to American slaves. Indeed, according to him, this celebration is a shame because slavery that was taking place in the USA at the time contradicted the values of the Declaration of Independence. Douglass was the denouncing the hypocrisy of this celebration.

Text C

The document under study is an extract of a speech pronounced by Harriet Tubman in 1859 during a convention that stipulated the end of slavery should be done by sending black slaves back to Africa. However, Tubman and other abolitionists were against this idea. In fact, even though blacks were forced to be sent to America for slavery, they were then rooted there. America was the place they belonged to, no one should have the right to send them away.  

 (We will continue the study of the texts tomorrow. Be ready!)

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

They Lived to Tell the Tale

Text A

The document under study is an extract of Frederick Douglass’ autobiography, published in 1845. He shares about his experience as a slave. He mentions a childhood episode when he would compare himself with whit children. Indeed, unlike the white children who knew their age, he could not say his own age. In fact, it was a will of the slave owners to prevent slaves from knowing too much about themselves, to keep them ignorant to manipulate them better. It was dehumanizing as slaves were treated as mere properties like horses.

Text B

The document under study is an extract from a speech pronounced by Frederick Douglass on July 4^th, 1852. In this speech Douglass aims at showing the contradiction of the values described in the Declaration of Independence because not everyone was free: the American slaves were the victims. He is denouncing the hypocrisy of this celebration.

Text C

The document is an extract from a speech pronounced by Harriet Tubman in 1859. She is explain why she does not agree with the idea that black slaves should be sent back to Africa to end slavery. Indeed, according to her, even though black people were forced to live in America, they could not be sent back to Africa as they belonged to America then. The fact that white people are trying to send them out; rooting them out of America is not fair.

(We will continue the study of the texts tomorrow. Be ready!)

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Charles acknowledges the wrongdoing of the past. Now he encourages everyone to learn from the past and focus on the future to be more united and respectful. Moreover, Charles III wishes to establish a stable basis on which future generations can start anew. On top of that, their common past is also an opportunity for them to fight for a brighter and fairer future.

To conclude, the King’s speech aligns with the objectives of the Commonwealth because the goals of this association are to build a resilient future by facing today’s problems together: inequality, climate change, injustices… As a result, they should always be united and cooperate respectfully and peacefully with one another.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Written Production:

Write a message to the King.
As a Commonwealth Youth Forum Delegate you attended the CHOGM meeting and heard King Charles's speech. Write a short message to the King, expressing your reaction to his speech. Do you agree with his vision? What inspired you? Would you like to challenge or add something?

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉

 (At the following of what we did last time)

King Charles acknowledges the wrong doings of the past. Now he would like to encourage people to focus on the future to move on together and be active in creating better opportunities for everyone. To do so, they need to listen to one another and work together with solidarity and respect for fairer future.

To conclude, what the King says in his speech aligns with the objectives of the Commonwealth because it is seen as a big family and respecting everyone’s opinion is important.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

Written Production:

Write a message to the King.
As a Commonwealth Youth Forum Delegate you attended the CHOGM meeting and heard King Charles's speech. Write a short message to the King, expressing your reaction to his speech. Do you agree with his vision? What inspired you? Would you like to challenge or add something?

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉

The Reverse Underground

The document under study is a trailer for a movie entitled “12 Years a Slave” released in 2013. It deals with the real life story of Solomon Northup. He was a free black man who was born in 1841 in the state of New York, a free state. He was a married man with children. Moreover, he was a praised professional musician, a violinist. Unfortunately, he was betrayed/deceived by two white men who drugged him in order to kidnap him and sale him into slavery.  On top of that, he was wrongly accused of being a Georgian runaway and was sold to a plantation. We can see him standing against his slave master because he knew the situation was too unfair. Nevertheless, he receives words of advice from the other slaves who advise him to obey and submit to the master so that he will not get into trouble and save his life. Unlike the other characters, he never seems to accept the identity of a slave – for 12 years.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉