Black History Month

The document under study is a video published in 2021 on USA Today Youtube Channel. It deals the concept of Black History Month. We have learned that Black History Month is celebrated in February every year In the USA and in Canada (in October in the UK). The founder of the concept was Carter G.Woodson, a famous African-American teacher, historian and publisher. At first, Woodson thought that black history would be part of/rooted in the American culture that he did not see the need for a Black History Month. However, in 1926 there was the first “Negro Week History” in the second week of February. The goals were on one hand, to prove that  black people had played a major role in American history and deserved to be treated equally. On another hand, to improve the visibility and reputation of black people against the media that was portraying/depicting them negatively.

Then, in 1976, it became a month thanks to some activists who lobbied for it to become a month. As a result, president Gerarld Ford made the first proclamation at the time. It then became official, approved by Congress in February 11^th, 1986.

Nevertheless, Black History Month has been controversial because some people think it is useless, some other people think there should be a white history month or even a confederate history month.

To finish with, despite the official recognition, only 9% of history class is spent on Black History month in American schools. Besides, in some states it is completely ignored.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (at the following of what we did last time)

To conclude, the three documents have several common points: both authors used rhetorical devices to describe their experience of slavery. Moreover, they both denounced the cruelty of slavery. On another hand, one document is a mere testimony, and the two others are speeches denouncing the lack of respect and injustices of slavery at the time.

To finish with, the most effective document is doc B because Douglass was attacking core values of the USA that were in complete contradiction with what was going on in the country at the time.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Youth for Climate Action

The document under study is a video published in 2019 on the UN Climate Change: Learn Youtube Channel. It features youth activist Yande Banda and Ruben Sapetulu from Zambia. The main issue at stake is a call to action to end global warming and climate change and the need for climate justice. In her opinion, everyone should be involved in the fight, from toddlers to the elderly.

Yande Banda is a 15 year-old climate activist. She is energetic, encouraging, influential, determined and full of hope for the future. She is connected to the Commonwealth, firstly because she is from Zambia, one of the 56 nations of the Commonwealth. Secondly, she is fighting for climate justice, which is one of the Commonwealth’s current main concerns.

To conclude, the sustainable goals established by the United Nations to be achieved by 2030 that are connected to Yande’s message are: Climate Action (13), the main focus, then Life on land (15), Life under water (14) and Partnership for the Goals connected to the youth collaboration and engagement. Besides, Industry, Infrastructure and innovation (9) can also be added with the examples of the use of solar panels to create clean energy.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

A Silence that Speaks Volumes (Part 2)

The document under study is video from Al Jazeera English published in 2017. It deals with famous African-American NFL player Colin Kaepernick’ controversial kneeling during the American national anthem to protest against racial inequality and the rise of police brutality towards black men in the USA at the time.

Unfortunately, the consequences were very negative for him, the same as Smith and Carlos, history repeats itself: he was highly criticized, becoming the most hated NFL players. On top of that, his career ended as no other NFL teams wanted to hire him pretending that his athletic performances were degrading.

Above all, he felt the need to protest on the field at all costs because he wanted to use his influence to draw attention to this concern.

Even though he is not playing anymore, his action still continues to impact people because other athletes are doing the same, kneeling on the field to denounce racial injustice.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

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.