God Save my Son

The document under study is news report from the BBC, published in April 2023, few weeks before King Charles III’s coronation. It deals with the evolution of the British people’s opinion on the monarchy. There has been a change since the death of Queen Elizabeth. Indeed, they have been less supportive of the British monarchy because they believe the monarchy spends too much money on their lives, homes and travels. Their spending costs too much to the economy of the country. On top of that, an anti-monarchy movement was created. In 2013, 75%    of the population were in favor of the monarchy, against 58% in 2023. In 2013, 17% wanted to have an elected Head of State against 26% in 2023. In addition, among the young people, there has been a drop in the polls: less than a third of 18-ti-24-years-olds say the monarchy should continue compared to 64% back in 2013. Besides, people from ethnic minority backgrounds believe that the Royal family has a problem with race and diversity.

God Save my Son

The document under study is a news report from the BBC published in April 2023, few weeks before King Charles III’s coronation. We learn that there are some people that are against the monarchy. Since the death of Queen Elisabeth (September 2022), there has been a change of public opinion among the British people. As a consequence, an anti-monarchy movement emerged. Indeed, according to them, the Royal family costs too much to the economy of the country. At the time, 58% of the population is in favor of the monarchy against 75% back in 2013. In fact, 26% of the people would like an elected Head of states against 17% back in 2013. In addition, there has been a drop in the polls among the young people, less than a third of the 18-24 years old say the monarchy should continue compared to 64% back in 2013. On top of that, people from ethnic minority backgrounds believe the Royal family has a problem with race and diversity.

Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?

The two documents under study are, for the first one, a trailer for the movie “Lincoln”, released in 2012; the second document is an extract from an article published in the “Emancipator” in 2022.

In the trailer, President Lincoln is portrayed as a wise, thoughtful and right man who believed in peace and racial equality. He is depicted as the hero who united America and the one who abolished slavery by himself.

In the article, he is portrayed in a more nuanced way, indeed, we learn that he was not an abolitionist. He did not believe in racial equality. He even supported pro-slavery measures such as the Fugitive Slave Law.

When we compare the two documents, we can say that the trailer gives us an idealized hero version of Lincoln. Indeed, he is depicted as a man with a moral vision to bring freedom and save the country from slavery. As opposed to the portrayal of Lincoln in the text that is more realistic and nuanced than the film. In fact, the text he is described as a more complex politician who had to compromise and to listen to Black leaders and activists who eventually pushed him to end slavery.

To conclude, Lincoln can now be remembered in two ways: first as a legend (the myth), the storytelling is more patriotic.

Secondly, he can be seen as a more controversial politician portrayed as a man with his qualities and downsides.

TV shows and films are too bias in the way they represent politics and politicians. Instead of showing the good and bad aspects of Lincoln’s career, they just focused to the greatness of his legacy. Therefore, the audience should know that these types of materials are not reliable sources to learn about historical fact. They are more for entertainment.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?

The two documents under study are, for the first one, a trailer for the movie “Lincoln”, released in 2012. The second one is an article, published in “The Emancipator” in 2022.

In the trailer, Lincoln is portrayed as hero and someone that saved the nation from slavery. He is represented as a very ambitious man. He was loved by the people.

However, in the article he is portrayed as a complex and inconsistent politician. His main goal was to restore the Union at all costs. Ending slavery was not his priority. Moreover, he did not believe in racial equality. On top of that, he supported pro-slavery measures such as the Fugitive Slave Law.

When we contrast the two portrayals, the trailer gives the image of a savior, a man with a moral vision to save the country and bring freedom. Nevertheless, the article gives a more historically accurate version of who Lincoln was. We learned that he had to listen to some advisers to find compromises, and there were Black leaders and activists who really pushed him to end slavery.

To conclude, we can say that Lincoln can be remembered in two different ways: the first one as being a savior and a hero (the myth), as his decisions led to the end of slavery and the union of the country, as if he did everything by himself. It is therefore a nice patriotic storytelling.

The second way he can be remembered is more nuanced as his main goal was not to end slavery. Besides, he was advised by Black Leaders to push him to act.

TV shows and movies represent politicians in bias way, their objective is not to represent them in an accurate way. They mostly are represented as legendary figures in American history. Therefore, the public should treat them as entertainment rather than historical or political fact.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?

The two documents under study are a trailer for the first one, for the movie “Lincoln” released 2012. The second one is an article from “The Emancipator”, published in 2022.

In the trailer, President Lincoln is portrayed as the savior of the nation, a heroic figure because of his involvement in the fight against slavery.

In the article, Lincoln’s portrayal is nuanced, indeed he was an advocate for peace but what led his policy was not the will to end slavery. His goal was to unify America  and slavery ended up the way to reach it. At the time, he supported pro-slavery measures such as the Fugitive Slave Law. Besides, he did not believe in racial equality.

When we compare both documents, the trailer gives a more positive image of Lincoln, an idealized hero who wanted to save the country and bring freedom. However, the article sheds light on the fact that Lincoln was not anti-slavery and he was not an abolitionist. In reality, Black leaders and activists were key in pushing him to end slavery. This view is more historically accurate.

To conclude, there are two ways to remember Lincoln: the more complex one in which he had to make compromises to maintain freedom. The second one in which the movie tries to erase the bad parts about Lincoln to glorify America.

Homework: Leran the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

To conclude, through their fame and notoriety, they can reach a part of the population that does not know about this part of American history. Moreover, through their donation, they encouraged the fight against racial discriminations. Their actions can influence people to act the same way. Besides, they shed light on the fact that plantations shouldn’t be places for festive celebrations but places of memory and education. To finish with, their public apology is a good example of the importance of recognizing their wrongdoings and their responsibilities.

Homework: Learn the lesson. 

Be ready for the Final Project on Tuesday, November 17th : You are a tour guide for a famous plantation in Louisiana. All the elements are on Pronote. 

 (At the follwing of what we did last time)

To conclude, by admitting their mistake, Lively and Reynolds became examples to follow. They taught people how to recognize their wrongdoings and how to take responsibility for their actions. Thanks to their fame and notoriety, it impacts the way plantations are seen by the public.  Indeed, they should be seen as places of memory and education. Besides, they can also reach another part of the population that does not know about the real stories that occurred in these places.

Homework: Learn the lesson. 

Be ready for the Final Project on Tuesday, November 17th : You are a tour guide for a famous plantation in Louisiana. All the elements are on Pronote.