(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! 😉

Reflecting on Today’s Challenges

The document under study is an extract of a speech pronounced by King Charles III in 2024 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, Oceania. In his speech, Kings Charles is reflecting on the “painful past” the countries of the Commonwealth had to go through. He is alluding to colonization, slavery, injustices, inequalities (in education and health…), division… In order to create a better future for everyone, he says that it is important to learn lessons from the past in order not to make the same mistakes again. He encourages everyone to speak with respect and not division and create equal opportunities for all people. Moreover, he describes the Commonwealth as a family that can be a community of peace and hope where people respect one another.

(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)

As a consequence, they were humiliated by an angry mob composed of white people who threw food and everything that was on the counter at the young activists. In addition, they were beaten up. Eventually, they were put in jail. This event went viral all over the world as it was the most photographed sit-in in the sit-in movement. Therefore, it had a very important impact in the world that rallied many people to this cause.

To conclude, the Civil Rights movement should not be reduced to MLK and Rosa Parks because it was not an exclusive fight as everyone was concerned and welcome to take part in no matter their skin color.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉

The Fight for Social Justice

The document under study is a video of the testimonies of former Civil Rights activists / veterans of the Civil Rights. We can hear 3 people who took part in the movement, one of which was a reporter who took pictures of the event at the time and a teacher who teaches in the University these students used to go. At the time, these activists were all students.

The organized a sit-in in a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Jackson, Mississippi, 1963. They wanted to put an end to racial segregation in restaurants. It is interesting to note that there were also white people who took part in the fight for social justice.

Their strategy was to go to a five and dime lunch counter, sit at the counter reserved for white customers and ask to be served politely and peacefully. The goal of this strategy was to highlight the absurdity of segregation and make people aware that everyone should be treated equally despite their skin color.

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 The Fight for Social Justice

The document under study is a video of former Civil Rights activists / veterans of the Civil Rights sharing their testimonies during a famous sit-in in the 1960s. They used to be students at the time of the event. There were white and black activists working together for the same cause.

They organized a sit-in in a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Jackson, Mississippi in 1963. The goal was to put an end to segregation in restaurants and denounce the inequality of this system.

They chose to go to a five and dime lunch counter and sat at the counter reserved for white people. Their objectives were to make people aware of the absurdity of the situation, to highlight  the belief that all citizens should be treated equally despite their skin color.

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Battle Over South Africa

The document under study is an extract from the TV show “The Crown”. In this scene, we can see Queen Elisabeth II discussing with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Indeed, they are discussing about the place of Africa in the Commonwealth because of the Apartheid regime. Queen Elisabeth wants South Africa to be sanctioned because of the unfair regime that goes against the values of the Commonwealth. However, Thatcher is against sanctioning them for economic reasons that could be a disadvantage for both countries. Moreover, Thatcher thinks that the Commonwealth serves as the remaining of the British Empire, therefore the British monarch should not have a say on the governments in place the different countries of this organization. Nevertheless, the Queen would like thatcher to sign a petition signed already by 48 countries of the Commonwealth willing to denounce and sanction South Africa.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Battle over South Africa

The document under study is an extract from the TV Series “The Crown”. We can see the Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elisabeth II. They are discussing about the fate of South Africa and the possibility to sanction the country because of Apartheid. Indeed, Apartheid does not correspond to the values of the Commonwealth. Therefore, according to the Queen South Africa should be sanctioned for the way the country treated its black citizens. As a result, she asked Thatcher to sign the petition that denounced their wrong actions. However, Thatcher does not agree, and explains that England should not try to sanction South Africa because they need South Africa for the good of their economy.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 Harriet Beecher Stowe

The document under study is a video that promotes the movie entitled “The Abolitionists”, released in 2013. In this extract, we learn about the famous abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe, a white American woman who lost her son to cholera. As a result, she decided to write a novel about slavery to connect her own loss of a child with the slave mothers who had their children taken away from them. In fact, in her book entitled “Uncle Tom’s cabin”, she humanizes the experience of slavery by giving her slave characters emotions. As a consequence, her book won over many Americans who changed their minds on the ethics of slavery. Moreover, her novel was very successful, when it was published in 1852, 245,000 copies were sold. To finish with, the title of her book refers to the place where the slaves lived on the planation compared to the Big House of their slave masters.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

The document under study is a video about the famous American writer who wrote a novel entitled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in 1852.  Harriet Beecher Stowe was a mother who lost one of her sons because of cholera. As a consequence, she linked her loss to the losses of slave mothers who had their children taken away from them. As a result, she became an abolitionist. Through her book, she gave feelings to the slaves and gave them back their humanity.

The title of her book is linked to the place where the slaves were living on the plantations. They were small houses compared to the big house of the slave master. Her novel was very successful as 245,000 copies were sold in America.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 The Present in Question

The document under study is a video published in September 2022, few days after the death of Queen Elisabeth II. It deals with the fact that people seem to be concerned if the Commonwealth is going to still exist while King Charles is on the throne. The Commonwealth is seen as a diplomatic organization where the membership is voluntary. Nevertheless, some countries decided to leave it: Pakistan in 1972, who did not agree with the recognition of Bangladesh. Moreover, Gambia decided to leave in 2013 because its head of state saw the Commonwealth as a form of neocolonialism intuition. However, it rejoined the Commonwealth in 2018 with another political leader. It is interesting to note that some countries who were not part of the British Empire also joined in such as Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo… because they share the same democratic values.

Furthermore, some countries were suspended or even forced to withdraw because they did not comply with the Commonwealth values: South Africa (1961), Nigeria (1999).

Empowering the Future

The document under study is a video about how the Commonwealth values its youth. It was published in October 2024. They created a platform so that young people can take initiatives through music, sports, debate and acting. On top of that, these projects responded to the needs of all the communities of the Commonwealth. Besides, the Commonwealth promotes mental health and we and well-being. In order to elaborate these projects, a thousand of young people, organizations, ministries and parliaments took part in them.

To conclude, the Commonwealth cannot be seen as a controversial organization because in order to join it, you can volunteer to do so. In addition, the countries are free to choose to have the British monarch as their Head of State or not. To finish with, the values of the Commonwealth that are freedom, equality, education, human rights, democracy, respect and friendship emphasize the idea that it is a very positive organization for all its members.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Present in Question

The document under study is a video about the future of the Commonwealth released in September 2022, few days         after the death of Queen Elisabeth II. People seem to be concerned about the continuity of the Commonwealth with King Charles on the throne. We have learned that, for historical reasons, some countries decided to leave the Commonwealth as they saw it as a form of neocolonialism (Gambia, 2013). Nevertheless, some countries decide to join it again such as Gambia, in 2018 who has a new head of state with different opinion. Moreover, some countries removed the British monarch as head of state, but stayed in the Commonwealth for the benefits of cooperation such as the Barbados. Furthermore, some countries were never part of the British Empire, but were willing to join the Commonwealth: Rwanda, Gabon, Togo…). On top of that, some countries were suspended or forced to withdraw from the Commonwealth because they did not comply with the democratic values of the organization (South Africa, 1961, Nigeria 1999 or Zimbabwe 2002).

Empowering the Future

The document study is a video published in October 2024. It deals with how the Commonwealth values the Youth. They give a platform to create real change through debates to make their voices heard. Through art and music also, they created songs to promote the young generation. Sports is also a goof platform to elevate the youth.

To conclude, the Commonwealth cannot be seen as a controversial organization as it promotes positive values such as democracy, peace, unity, respect. Everyone can find their place in this institution.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the follwing of what we did last time)

In 1844, she married a free black, John Tubman. She decided to change her name to Harriet Tubman. She overheard about the Underground Railroad thanks to black sailors who were talking about a secret code and routes that would lead to the North.

In 1849, she decided to escape by herself following the North Star at night, and she arrived in Pennsylvania. Afterwards, she went back to the South to help other slaves escape. She went back 13 times as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She never lost a passenger! As result, she was nicknamed “The Black Moses”. Afterwards, she joined the military Union army, she worked as a nurse. Moreover, she also was a spy for the Union army and a scout. She was the first black woman to lead a military raid freeing 700 slaves. On top of that, she also became an activist to fight for women’s rights. Besides, she also created schools and hospitals for the black community.

Then, in the 1880s, she could receive a pension of $20 a month for a time in the army.

She died on March 10^th 1913 at the age of 91 years old.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 Turning History into Hope

The document under study is an extract from a magazine, published in September 2022. It is about the creation of the Commonwealth and its history.

We have learned that the Commonwealth gradually emerged as the British Empire declined. It all started with Canada, in the late 19^th century, when as a colony, they decided to become a self-governing dominion. Indeed, they wanted more freedom and a more organized system. Other British colonies followed their examples: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland and the Republic of Ireland. In 1926, they finally became equal in statues. In 1931, with the Statue of Westminster, the Commonwealth was formally established.

The roles that Commonwealth plays today are to promote peace and a better future for every country. Moreover, it has a symbolic image in the world for all the Commonwealth countries. On top of that, it can also financially help the economically weak countries.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Making History

The document under study is an infographic of a timeline which represents great achievements done by famous African-Americans since 1940. These deeds/actions are significant landmarks in our modern-day world.

I think, the most outstanding achievement is the presidency of Barack Obama. Indeed, becoming the president of the USA is one of the most prestigious jobs in the world. For an African-American man, it meant that he was the most powerful person on the planet. Moreover, the fact that he was elected by the American people highlighted the fact that Obama’s presidency was a symbol of change.

In my opinion, Ruby Bridges becoming the first African-American girl to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana was outstanding. Indeed, being able to access to education was a form of freedom and empowerment as it allowed young African-American people to develop themselves and make them being independent in their opinions.

To me, the best achievement is the one of Claudette Colvin in 1955. In fact, through her action she could help in the civil rights movement to end segregation. Even if Rosa Parks became the symbol of the desegregation of the transportation system, Colvin’s name still remains in people’s minds.

These deeds helped African Americans feel included and not feel segregated any more. They had hope to have the same opportunities as the white people. Moreover, these people can also be inspiration for young African Americans and bring pride to their community in any fields.

To conclude, overall, we can say that the situation has changed for African Americans as they have now more rights and opportunities in different fields (politics, education, sports, art…). Besides, They are also more visible in the media. Nevertheless, inequalities of treatment still occur/happen and African Americans still have to fight to keep their social status intact.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

You are in charge of updating the infographic. Choose another African-American history-maker and present her or his achivements orally.

 Making History

The document under study is an infographic on which we can read about some of the major achievements made by people from the African-American community for the first time. All of these are significant landmarks in our modern-day world.

To me, Martin Luther King Jr named as Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1963 is the most outstanding because among all the famous men at the time he was seen as being the most influential man in the world.

In my opinion, Venus William was ranked #1 in tennis in 2002, she was the first African-American woman in that position. It is an impressive achievement as tennis is a male-dominated sport. She is an inspiration for little girls.

From my point of view, Cora Brown in 1952, who was the first African-American woman elected to the US Senate in 1952. Indeed, black women had a double burden: they were minorities in both respects in a sexist and racist society.

The African-American community felt proud upon seeing these great achievement. Moreover, these actions could open doors to the rest of the community, feeding hope to their dreams.

To conclude, the situation may have changed in some fields, nevertheless, there is still some social progress to make nowadays as racism and discriminations still occur.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

You are in charge of updating the infographic. Choose another African-American history-maker and present her or his achivements orally.

 The Flags of the Commonwealth Countries

The Union Jack appears on the flags of several countries, usually at the top left corner. These countries are Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Tuvalu. These flags reflect historical ties/connections to the British Empire and they show that these countries were once British colonies.

On the other flags, we can see mainly natural elements such as stars, the sun, the moon, the sea, birds, lion, constellation, a maple leaf for the Canadian flag.

The flag of the Commonwealth is composed of a globe in the middle in gold, surrounded by 34 rays that represent the first 34 nations, which formed the Commonwealth at first. In the background, the color blue represents the different oceans. The globe and the rays look like the sun that can make us think of the British Empire with the famous quote: “The sun never sets on the British Empire”.

The Flags of the countries of the Commonwealth

The Union Jack appears on 4 flags of Commonwealth countries. It is usually positioned on the top left corner of these flags.

These countries are: Australia, Fiji, Tuvalu and New Zealand.

The presence of the Union Jack on these flags reflects the historical ties/connections to the British Empire and it shows that these countries were once British colonies.

Other symbols can be found on the other flags, mainly natural elements: sun and stars, plants (maple leaf -> Canada), animals (bird of paradise, lion, seagull).

The flags are also very colorful. The color green can be seen on several flags and can be linked to nature as well.

The Commonwealth flag is composed of 34 sunrays, a globe in the middle, the background is blue that represents the different oceans. The globe and the rays are in yellow to look like the sun because the sun never sets on the Commonwealth.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman

The document under study is an animated story about the famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman, published in 2018 on Ted-Ed YouTube Channel.

We have learned that she was born under the name of Araminta Ross in the early 1820s in Maryland. She had 8 siblings, she was the fifth child. Unfortunately, her family was separated because they were sold away to other slave masters. When she was a child, she was violently hit on the head with a bag of flour (2 pounds). As a result, she suffered from “sleeping spells”, narcolepsy. No slave masters wanted to buy her because of her health condition. She stayed with her father and two brothers. Her father taught her to lumber which enabled her to get physically stronger. Then, she could be in contact with free black sailors whom she could overhear them talking in a secret communication.

In 1844, she married a free black man named John Tubman and changed her name to be called Harriet Tubman.

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman

The document under study is a biographical video on the famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman, published in 2018 on TED-Ed YouTube Channel.

We have learned about her life and career and how she became a symbolic figure in the fight against slavery.

We have learned she had 8 siblings, she was the 5^th child. She was born under the name of Araminta Ross. Unfortunately, her family was separated because they were sold to different masters. She could live with her father and two younger brothers. Unfortunately, when she was a child, she was violently hit on the head with a bag of flour (2kg). As a result, she suffered from “sleeping spells”, narcolepsy. Because of that, she could not be sold to other slave masters. Her father taught her to lumber that helped her improve her physical condition.

In 1844, she married a free black, John Tubman. She decided to change her name to Harriet Tubman. She overheard about the Underground Railroad thanks to black sailors who were talking about a secret code and routes that would lead to the North.

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Quote of the Day:

Queen Elisabeth II wanted to distance the Commonwealth from the British Empire. While the British Empire was based on colonial domination, inequality and control, as opposed to the Commonwealth that is presented as a free voluntary association of equal nations, built on shared values such as: friendship and loyalty (instead of control and oppression), freedom and peace (instead of conquest and conflict).

Africa has the most Commonwealth countries with 21. Then, in the Americas there are 14 countries that belong to the Commonwealth. On the third place, Oceania has 11 Commonwealth countries. Then, Asia has 8 countries that belong to the Commonwealth. Finally, Europe has 6 Commonwealth nations.

 Quote of the Day:

Queen Elisabeth II wanted to distance the Commonwealth from the British Empire. While the British Empire was based on colonial domination, inequality and control, as opposed to the Commonwealth that is presented as a free voluntary association of equal nations, built on shared values such as: friendship and loyalty (instead of control and oppression), freedom and peace (instead of conquest and conflict).

Africa is the continent with the most Commonwealth countries with a total of 21.

Then, in the Americas there are 14 Commonwealth countries. Oceania comes on the third position with 11 Commonwealth countries. Then, Asia has 8 countries belonging to the Commonwealth. Finally, Europe has 6 Commonwealth countries.

Those who Diced with Death

The document under study is the trailer for a TV series entitled “Underground”. It is about the Underground Railroad. We could see white characters who were the slave masters, some had guns, they were the slave catchers. We could also see a big house, the house of the slave master and its plantation of cotton with slaves working on it. Moreover, we could see the two main characters Rosalie, who is a house slave working in the big house and Noah, a slave who works outside on the plantation. They both planned to escape and to run away from their plantation thanks to the Underground Railroad. Furthermore, we can also see a couple of white people, who are station masters and abolitionists, helping fugitive slaves to escape. They are working with a free black man. It is interesting to note that fleeing the plantation is not an easy decision to take because it is often the slaves that are left behind that would pay the price.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 Commonwealth Day

The document under study is a video about Commonwealth Day, published in March 2024. We have learned that the Commonwealth is composed of 56 nations with 2.5 billion citizens. Commonwealth Day happens every year on the second Monday of March. The main ceremony takes place at Westminster Abbey in London, UK. At the same time, there are other ceremonies across the world including The Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Oceania, The Pacific, the Americas and Europe.

The goal of Commonwealth Day is to promote unity, diversity, resilience and democracy. Moreover, despite the different cultures and traditions, the aim is to create one common bright future as it was the theme for Commonwealth Day in March 2024: “One Resilient Common Future”.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Moreover, he mentions the defiance of Malcom X, the soulfulness (passion) and the moral strength of Martin Luther King and the strength of Mohamed Ali as great inspirations for him to pursue his ambitions.

However, with all his travels overseas, he realized that race relations problems were not only an American issue. Indeed, he noticed that it is actually a human problem as people naturally divide themselves in their daily lives (working places, schools, churches…). As a result, they create assumptions and beliefs in stereotypes leading to tensions between communities.

To conclude, by willing to become the first African-American president his goal was to unite people and to convince them that differences can actually be enriching and empowering for everyone no matter the ethnic group they belong to.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Making of a Black President

The document under study is an interview of former President Barack Obama broadcast by the Atlantic in 2016. It is about his childhood experiences and feelings and thoughts when he decided to run for the White House. We have learned that Obama never doubted to get white support to win the presidency because he grew up being surrounded by his mother’s side of the family that were mainly white people. Therefore, he never though that people could judge him based on his skin color as a mixed-race person. Indeed, he did not feel that he had to prove anything to anyone. However, his only concern to be able to win the presidency was his age as he was a very young candidate.

In this interview, he mentions his family members: we learn that his father was a black man from Kenya and his mother an American from Kansas. He mainly grew up with his grandparents from his mother’s side. He also mentions his wife, Michelle, who mainly grew up in a black community that made her have a completely different perception of relationships with white people than the one Barack has.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Making of a Black President

The document under study is an interview for The Atlantic of former President, Barack Obama in 2016. He shares about his personal background and his feelings and doubts when he decided to run for the White House as a young African-American candidate. We have learned that he never doubted to get white support to win the presidency as he grew up with his mother’s side of the family that were white people who lived and appreciated him as who he was. When he would meet other white people on the workspace, he would picture his grandparents, therefore he felt that he did not have anything to prove.

In this interview, he mentions his parents: his father was a black man from Kenya and his mother was an American from Kansas.

Moreover, he also mentions his wife, Michelle to contrast their respective childhoods and their experiences with white people as Barack had always felt at ease among white people contrary to Michelle as being African American growing up in        a mainly black community.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk both were awarded of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 because they fought together to put an end to Apartheid.

To conclude, South Africa is nicknamed the “Rainbow Nation” because a rainbow is an arch of various colors that appears after the rain when the sun shines bright again. For South Africa, after Apartheid, everyone gained the same rights and unity came to the country among the different communities. Moreover, this new situation would lead to a brighter future for South Africans no matter the color of their skins. Furthermore, a rainbow is like a bridge that connects two places; for South Africa it is a metaphor to illustrate the fact that it connects two communities, the Blacks and the Whites to live in peace and in hope of a better future.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the Following of what we did last time)

The Nobel Peace Prize 1993 was awarded to both Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk because they both worked for the end of Apartheid and made South Africa a democratic country.

To conclude, South Africa is nicknamed the “Rainbow nation” because it is a metaphor with the word “rainbow” with its different colors and it is linked to unity between people from different communities. With the end of Apartheid, South Africa gained this nickname to symbolize the end of this difficult period. It is to symbolize peace and a bright future for all whatever their color of skins.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Land of the Free, Home of the Oppressed

The document under study is an interview of an African-American writer called Colson Whitehead introducing his novel entitled “The Underground Railroad”, released in 2017.

Before writing his book, he searched the Internet to find slave narratives in order to sound realistic and stick to the harshness of slavery even if he added fictional facts. Moreover, he read the lives of famous former slaves such as Frederick Doulgass and Harriet Jacobs. What is interesting to note is that in his novel, the Underground Railroad is a literal subway beneath the earth. As opposed to the reality, the Underground Railroad was a metaphoric network created by the runaway slaves and the abolitionists to escape from their slave masters in secret, using secret routes and communicating with a secret code.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave?

The document under study is an interview an African-American writer called Colson Whitehead. He wrote a novel entitled “The Underground Railroad”, published in 2017. We have learned that he was inspired from reality to create a fictional story around the Underground Railroad. In fact, in reality the Underground Railroad was a metaphoric network created by the fugitive slaves to escape in secret from their masters. However, in Whitehead’s book, he wrote about a real underground railroad built beneath the earth that his characters would take to go from the southern states to the free states in the North. Moreover, to write his novel he was inspired by slave narratives that he had read before, such as the lives of Harriet Jacob and Frederick Douglass, two famous former slaves.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

The runaway slaves would travel from the southern states (the slave states) to the northern states (the free states). To avoid being caught easily, they would avoid the popular routes that would be watched over by the slave catchers and pro-slavery sympathizers.

Everyone was transported on the Underground Railroad to flee slavery: men, women, children and infants. As a group they used a secret code to travel with them, they were called “trains” or “wagons”.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Complete the message of Harriet Tubman with the code of the Underground Railroad you received in class.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Apartheid: it was a segregation system that separated Blacks and Whites in their daily lives in South Africa. They were living apart from one another. Moreover, there were inequalities and discrimination against people of color. On top of that, people had different rights according to their skin color. For example, Black people could not choose where they lived. They had to live in rural homelands or townships or ghettos near their place of work. In addition, they were not allowed to vote. To finish with, they were not allowed to choose their education.

The ANC, African National Congress, was a political organization created by students to fight against apartheid. It started as a non-violent movement. However, they decided to use sabotage after the government decided to ban their movement.

Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment, meaning he would have to stay in jail for the rest of his life. He refused to be freed because he was a symbol of resistance to apartheid.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 3: Black Lives Matter

To what extent has public protest helped African Americans to get closer to equal rights?

Axe 7: Diversity adn Inclusion

Claudette Colvin: Civil-Rights Activist

The document under study is an article from Speakeasy news published on January 15^th 2026. It deals with Claudette Colvin’s story. Indeed, this article pays tribute to her life and legacy because she died/passed away 2 days prior the publication of this article. We have learned that her protest was a spontaneous one because she was inspired by two famous women anti-slavery activists: Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.

After she was arrested her father decided to stay up at night with shotgun to ensure his daughter safety against the KKK.

Rosa Parks’ arrest did not lead her to the Supreme Court unlike Colvin and three other women who did the same. It was the Browder v. Gayle case that ended segregation in the transport system in the South.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Atlantic Slave Trade

The document under study is video from Ted Education published in December 2014. It is about the Atlantic slave trade. We have learned that the trade started in the late 1400s (15^th century) and ended in the middle of the 19^th century (1800s). There were 10 million Africans deported to the Americas. The trade was organized on three continents: Africa, North America and South America.

It all started with Portuguese colonies in West Africa who exchanged with Spanish settlements in the Americas. The impact of the slave trade was not only on the slaves and their descendants, but also on the economies and histories of the countries that were involved in the process.

In the new colonies, they cultivated cotton, sugar cane and tobacco. The Natives were the first enslaved people to take care of these crops. However, many Natives died because of the diseases brought buy the Europeans. As a result, the Europeans decided to buy slaves from Africa.

In Africa, African leaders were pleased to sell their criminals and prisoners of war in exchange of rifles and money in order to enrich themselves.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 The Slave Trade

The document under study is from TED Education, published in 2014. It deals with the Atlantic slave trade. We have learned that it started in the middle of the 15^th century (1400s) and it ended in the 19^th century (1800s). It happened in Africa, North America and South America. There were more than 10 million slaves were deported. It all started with Portuguese colonies in West Africa and Spanish settlers in the Americas. Slavery not only had an impact on the slaves and its descendants but also on the economies and the histories of the countries involved in the process. In the new colonies, cotton, tobacco and sugar canes were cultivated. The first enslaved people were the Natives. However, they caught diseases brought by the Europeans and many of them died. Moreover, some others tried to protect themselves against the European settlers. As a result, the settlers decided to look for another work force in Africa.

In Africa, African leaders sold their slaves, their criminals and prisoners of wars to the white colonists in exchange of weapons and to enrich themselves.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Queen of Pop Culture – A Media Savvy Monarch

The document under study is a video from Good Morning America published in September 9^th 2022, the day after the death of Queen Elisabeth II. We have learned the Queen was nicknamed the Queen of Pop Culture because throughout her reign we could see her face in many different types of media (the press, magazines, the radio, TV, currencies, stamps…).

The Queen had always had an elegant and classic style, with her classic hats and handbags wearing bright colors to stand out. In fact, she had created her own style that would her signature.

At the beginning of her reign, she would appear on TV, on photos, magazines… Then, more recently, she was portrayed in movies, TV series, and cartoons. She also was the subject of songs and pieces of art. In addition, she featured with Daniel Graig in a short film for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of 2012 in London.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Queen of Pop Culture – A Media Savvy Monarch?

The document under study is a video from Good Morning America, published in 2022 right after Queen Elisabeth II died. We have learned that she was nicknamed “The Queen of Pop Culture” because we could see her face on several types of media throughout her reign. Indeed, for example, we could see her on the press, on Pound bills and coins, on stamps, on magazines and newspaper, on the radio, on TV…

On top of that, she had a distinct style of dress: she would wear hats and purses and dresses with bright colors and monochrome as to stand out.

At the beginning of her reign, her face was already famous thanks to newspapers, currencies, magazines, books… years after years she began to be portrayed in movies, cartoons and TV series on the small and big screens. Moreover, more recently she went on social media to reach the younger generations. In addition, we can also hear about her and see her in pieces of art (songs and paintings…). Furthermore, she even starred in the ceremony of the Olympic Games that took place in London in 2012.

Homework: Learn the lesson.