Black Lives Matter Mural Plaza Dismantled

The document under study is a news report about the dismantling of the Black Lives Matter Mural in Washington DC in March 2025. Indeed, the Trump administration put pressure on the mayor of DC to remove it, otherwise the city would have lost federal funding. Nevertheless, the mayor (Muriel Bowser) had said that she already had planned to reconstruct the plaza before receiving the pressure from the Trump administration.

People there were very sad and angry. Some others were collecting pieces of the plaza as a souvenir. As a result, these people seemed to be worried for the future.

To conclude, they did not know what they would do next, some discussions were supposed to take place in the following summer. Since then, this place had taken back its former name: 16^th street.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Be ready for the Final Task: Monday, March 30th: 

Talk Show Time: Celebrating African-American History in Films.

Black Lives Matter Plaza Dismantled

The document under study is a news report about the dismantling of the famous Black Lives Matter Mural Plaza in Washington DC in March 2025.

We have learned that the Trump administration was putting pressure on the mayor of DC to erase the BLM Mural on the 16^th Street. Indeed, they had to remove it otherwise, they would lose federal funding. On top of that, the mayor (Muriel Bowser) said that she had already planned to remove it anyway.

Upon hearing the news and seeing the beginning of the dismantling, people were very angry and emotional. Besides, they seem worried for the future.

To conclude, they did not know then what would replace the BLM plaza, some discussions were about to take place in the following summer on the topic.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Be ready for the Final Task: Monday, March 30th: 

Talk Show Time: Celebrating African-American History in Films.

Vocabulary in Progress

a) The Commonwealth has shown its ability to bounce back/rise from the ashes from historical challenges.

b) Today is a new day, so, Dear Delegates, let’s get ready to rise and shine!

c) The Commonwealth has worked to rise from the ashes of the British Empire, redefining its purpose for a modern world.

d) The heads of states are hoping this meeting will give them the opportunity to build bridges/ to plant seeds of hope in the world?

Music of English: Silent Letters

Vocabulary in Progress

1. The Commonwealth has shown its ability to bounce back from historical challenges.

2. Today is a new day, so dear Delegates, let’s get ready to rise and shine!

3. The Commonwealth has worked to rise from the ashes of the British Empire, redefining its purpose for a modern world.

4. The head of sates are hoping this meeting will give them the opportunity to plant seeds of hope/to build bridges in the worlds.

Music of English: Silent Letters

Language in Progress: Modal Auxiliaries

1)

a. Nowadays, the Commonwealth of Nations can bring positive change.

b. The heads of government must look for sustainable solutions.

c. The Commonwealth Youth can make this world a better place.

d. Climate Justice must be heard by the International Court of Justice.

2)

a. We are not able to change the past.

b. But we have to build a brighter future.

c. Many member states said that Britain has to held/had to be held accountable for its colonial past.

d. The Youth have/has to pave the way to a more inclusive world.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Work on the exercises you received in class for Monday, March 23rd.

Language in Progress: Modal Auxiliaries

1)

a. Nowadays, the Commonwealth of Nations can bring positive change

b. The heads government must look for sustainable solutions.

c. The Commonwealth Youth can make this world a better place.

d. Climate Justice must be heard by the International Court of Justice.

2)

a. We are not able to change the past.

b. But we have to build a brighter future.

c. Many member states said that Britain has to be held / had to be held accountable for its colonial past.

d. The Youth have/has to pave the way to a more inclusive world.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Work on the exercises you received in class for Monday, March 23rd.

What is Black History Month?

The document under study is a video from USA Today, published in 2021. It deals with the evolution of Black History Month. We have learned that it is celebrated every February in the USA and in Canada. Carter G. Woodson, and African-American teacher, historian and publisher was the founder of the concept, even though, at first he thought that Black History Month would not be useful in the USA as Black history would be already part of American culture. Nevertheless, in February 1926, he put in place “Negro History week” on the second week of this month. At the time, the goals were on one hand, to show the importance of Black people in the history of the USA and that they should be equally treated. He also encouraged schools to have black history in their curricula. On another hand, to increase the visibility of black life and history at a time when the media would portray/ depict anti-black racist imagery.

Later, some activists fought for this week to become a month. As a result, in 1976, President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first Black History Month. It became official ten years later (signed by Congress).

However, BHM has been controversial because some people think that one month is too short, or that it is not useful anymore, some others even ask for a White History Month or even a Confederate History Month. To conclude, there is an average of 9% of history class spent on Black History. Besides, in some states it is completely ignored.

Homework: Learn the lesson.