Model Expressions

1. Before 1920, no woman was able to vote in the USA.

2. In some countries, girls are not allowed to practice the same sports as boys.

3. Men are able to / are allowed to help women in their fight for gender equality.

4. In 1872, female teachers were not allowed to get married in some sates of the US.

The different uses of “would”

1. She would great thins if she were elected. =>A conditional

2. Some feminist movements would like men to be more involved along with them. => a wish

3. She said she would not be influenced by stereotypes. => a past tense indirect speech

4. Before having the right to vote, women would not have a say in the politics of their country. => a past habit

Expressing Probability:

1. She was likely to decide by herself.

2.Politics are bound to change.

3. Women are bound to get involved in politics.

From French to English

1. Before 2018, Native American women were not represented in the USA Senate yet.

2. Nowadays/ Even today / Still today, women have to fight for equal rights.

3. In some countries, women have the same rights as men, but only if they fight for equal rights.

4. she had to make herself heard again in order to confirm her principles.

5. They fought to prevent her from voting, but she fought even harder.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Modals

1. Tomorrow, women scientists will be able to get a Nobel prize easily.

2. 30 years ago, women scientists had to publish scientific articles under the authority of a man.

3. Tomorrow, women will no longer have to fight for their rights.

4. 80 years ago women scientists were not allowed to sign scientific articles.

Translation

1. She can calculate faster than a computer.

2. They know that their discovery has changed the world.

3. They (the men) know that without them (the women) they would not have been able to go to the Moon.

4. She is able to / can speak three languages.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Sexism in ad

Group 1

The document under study is an ad for a beer of the brand Schlitz, published in 1952. It is aimed at women ti show that even if they could be bad cooks they could not disappoint their husband as soon as they bring this specific beer.

This ad implies/suggests/means/highlights the beliefs that women belonged to the kitchen. Moreover, it also implies that the only role of women is to satisfy their men. The man is portrayed as patronizing and disregarding.

Group 2

The document under study is an ad for ties. We can see a man chilling in his bed, while his wife is on her knees serving him his breakfast in bed. The tie is a symbol for power, hence it implies that that the man is in charge of the household and the boss of the family. The woman is just here to serve and take care of him.

Group 3

The document under study is an ad for ketchup. We can see a woman in the foreground who is amazed holding this bottle of ketchup with her hand ready to open it. She seems amazed to know that she will be able to open this bottle of ketchup herself, without the help of a man.

This ad implies that women were weak and that they usually needed men’s strength to accomplish some of their daily tasks. Besides, it also highlights that their place belonged to the kitchen

To conclude, these ads reflect life in the 50s very well, because in order to appeal to customers, they had to show them that these products were relevant to their lives, and that they needed them. They portray the traditional and patriarchal view of society that everybody was familiar with. The roles of men and women are clearly defined.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Girls Education in the 1950s

The document under study is an extract from a documentary on girl’s education in the 1950s. We have learned that girls were educated to be good housewives and mothers. They would go to college  to attend classes such as Domestic Sciences courses or Home Economics lessons. Theses courses were made to teach young ladies to become housewives and raise children. Their main ambition was to find a husband and have children. On another hand, for the ladies who wanted to have a job outside the house, they only had 4 options: being a teacher, a nurse, a secretary, a stewardess/flight attendant. They were very limited. As a consequence, it created social inequalities between men and women.

On the contrary, nowadays, education is more equal: girls and boys can choose whatever they want to study. Moreover, women are not dependent of men. They can be political leaders, CEOs, doctors…

Homework: Learn the lesson.

How they raised girls to be women in the 1950s

The document under study an extract from a documentary on women’s role in the 1950s. We have learned that girls would go to school to be educated in order to be a good housewife. For example, they would attend classes of Domestic Sciences to learn how to cook, clean, take care of children… They were not supposed to aspire to another career. If they really wanted to have a job, they only had 4 options: nurse, teacher, secretary and stewardess/flight attendant.

Girls were raised this way to prevent them from having any forms of power, freedom an ambitions. On the contrary, men could have access to a proper education and could do whatever they wanted to.

Nowadays, we all have access to the same education. We are still fighting for equality in some parts of the society (equal pay). Nevertheless, the social situation of women has greatly evolved, they can be political leaders, CEOs, doctors… Women are free to choose whatever they wanted to do. They are no longer forced to stay at home and raise children.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (at the following of what we did last time)

Being historical is not necessary to make a good movie. However, it can intensify the message sent by the movie director when the facts told are realistic.

For the movie “Hidden Figures”, it was very important for the film to be realistic because they wanted to bring the true story of these female scientists on the big screen. Therefore, using historical facts and the help of historians and experts impacts the way the message is transferred to the audience.

Sometimes, to captivate the audience it is very useful to romanticize the script and not to follow all the experts’ advice. Indeed, immersing the viewers allows them to enjoy a more entertaining story. Filmmakers like to have a balance between a dramatic touch and historical facts.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Not all movies should be historical because there are many successful movies that are not historical. They can belong to the sci-fi, fantasy, animated, comedy, romantic, adventure, futuristic genres…

However, a historical movie should be realistic and respect the real story because the movie is giving an image of what really happened to the viewers. This image should be faithful to what really happen so that everyone can have access to the true facts.

For the movie “Hidden Figures”, accuracy was important. The movie director listened to the advice of the NASA historians and the math experts. Nevertheless, for the sake of dram, he chose to romanticize some aspects for the story.

Indeed, filmmakers decide sometimes not to follow all experts’ advice because sometimes there are little details that do not matter so much for the historical report to leave some space to the dramatic touch.

The "no more colored bathroom, no more white bathroom" scene.

Be ready for the Final Task on Thursday May, 28th 

Kamal Harris, First Female Vice President of the USA

The document under study is news report from ABC News published in January 2021. It deals with Kamala Harris being the very first female black president in the USA and her impact on the country. We have learned that she is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian (South Asia) mother. Before being VP of the USA, she was a Senator and General state attorney for the state of California. Hence, she is known as someone who broke barriers because she was the first woman being general attorney in America. Moreover, she was the first female district attorney of San Francisco. On top of that, the second black woman to be a Senator, and eventually, the first female VP.

It is important for young girls to feel represented in high positions because there is power in seeing someone that looks like you. Indeed, it is inspiring and it gives confidence to young girls to push them to do the same someday.

Homework: Learn the lesson. 

Kamala Harris, Frist Female Vice President of the USA

The document under study is a news report from ABC News published in January 2021. It deals with Kamala Harries, a famous American political leader.

Kamala Harris was elected Vice President in 2020 with Joe Biden as President. Her parents were from minority groups: her mother came from South Asia, India, and her father came from Jamaica (former British colonies). She is seen as a person who breaks barriers as she became the first woman to become VP. Moreover, she was the second black female to become a US Senator.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The People Behind the Film

Text A: The Real Heroes

The document under study is an extract from a web article published in 2017. It deals with the fact that behind the space heroes, there were human computers who solved and calculated by hand complex equations that allowed the space mission to happen safely. They were the figures hidden behind the heroes.

Text B: Math teacher to the stars

The document under study is an extract from an article published in 2019. It deals with the fact that the movie director hired a real math expert to make the movie seem more realistic. Hence, professor Rudy Horne was this expert. He helped designing the formulas and make sure they were correct. On top of that, he taught the main actress to learn the formulas in her script in order to make them her own.

Text C: Bringing Hidden History to the Big Screen

The document under study is an extract from article from Science News For Students, published in 2017.

It deals with the hiring of a historian at NASA for the shooting of the film Hidden Figures: Bill Barry. Indeed, he was here to make the film more realistic and credible. For some parts, not all of his recommendations were kept. In fact, the movie director decided to keep some scenes romanticized to add a dramatic touch.

Homework: learn the lesson.

The people behind the film

Text a: The real heroes

The document under study is an extract from an article published on a website in 2017. It deals with the true story of the movie “Hidden Figures” and the women who worked for NASA in the shadow.

This movie sheds light on/highlights/showcases/illustrates the forgotten heroes that played an important role in the space conquest by calculating complex but necessary equations for the trajectories of the astronauts.

Text B: Math teacher to the stars

The document under study is an extract form an article published in 2019. It deals with the fact that for the movie “Hidden Figures to look realistic, they hired different expert. Here, we have learned that they hired a mathematic expert to teach the lead actress the main math formulas. Besides, he had to make sure that the formulas were correct. He also encouraged the lead actress to learn all the formulas in her script to them her own in order to look more credible.

Text C: Bringing Hidden History to the Big Screen

The document under study is an extract from an article published in 2017. It deals with how the movie used historians to make it realistic. To do so, they sued the help of Bill Barry, a chief historian at NASA. Indeed, he helped the movie director to write the script in order to make sure that the film was correct as possible. However, the movie director did not always follow his advice as he wanted to romanticize some scenes in order to add a dramatic touch some time to time.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

We’ll make it work!

The document under study is an article published in the Guardian, a British broadsheet newspaper, in 2018. It deals with the birth of Jacinda Arden’s baby. Jacinda Arden was the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the time. Seeing a young mother being at the position of a main political leader is unprecedented ( never seen before). She took 6 weeks of maternity leave. Afterwards, her husband, Clark Gayford, will stay at home to take care of the child. Six weeks is very short, nevertheless, she says that feels privileged and lucky to be supported by her husband. Indeed, her husband takes on his responsibilities as a full-fledged parent.

Her testimony can be inspiring for other families as it can help change mentalities over gender balance because many people still think that women should be the ones who would stop their part in their working world upon becoming mothers.

She could reconcile both private and public life by having the support of her husband and she would bring her baby in her office and on her travels.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 #HeForShe

The document under study is a video that promotes the He-for-She campaign, published in 2014. It is promoting an organization that aims at supporting women through the challenges of life at every level. It is interesting to note that these men belong to different ethnic groups and different walks of life and are united to fight for the same cause namely gender equality. They share several words of advice: it is important to be in women’s shoes to sympathize with their condition and to understand more their difficulties. They should be treated equally as they could be a sister, a wife or a daughter. Moreover, the change should come from them as men. Indeed, they should stop having chauvinistic behaviors and sexist stereotypes that diminish women’s status.

As a matter of fact, the main action that should be put in place to achieve gender equality is that men should radically change their way of thinking and behaviors towards women.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Reaching for the stars

The first document under study is a movie poster promoting the film entitled Hidden Figures, released in 2016. The characters on the poster are fictional although they are inspired by the real life of three African-American scientists: “The women you don’t know behind the mission you do” (know). They look determined, proud and sure of themselves even though they were working in a field dominated by white men.

These characters are Katherine Johnson was a human computer and she was the one who found the good calculations to send someone in space and back safely. Dorothy Vaughn became the leader for all the female human computers. Mary was the engineer.  

The second document is a picture of the cast of the film being interviewed. We can see the three actresses, the producer, Pharrel William, the movie director, Theodor Melfi and 2 NASA staff members to make the movie realistic. Behind them, we can see a poster with the pictures of the three female scientists who actually inspired the movie.

When we compare the two documents, we can see the NASA logo and the main actresses in both of the documents.

The main issue at stake is that the place of black women in the 1950s and 1960s in the USA was very complicated, they suffered from a double burden: racism and sexism.

As a matter of fact, without the movie, their stories would have never been told. They are the real hidden figures.

Homework: Learn the lesson

Unit 4: Is it a Man’s World?

To what extent did gender roles start evolving in the 50s and 60s?

Axe: Private and Public Spheres

The document under study is an extract from a TV show entitled “I love Lucy”, released in the 1950s. We can see three people in this scene: a mother, a child and a father. The mother is asking the men of the family what they would like to have for dinner. The husband tells her to do what she wants to do, he trusts in her good judgement. However, she feels lonely, desperate and exhausted because she does not the help she wishes to have. She seems to be stuck in some an ending tasks. She even counts the amount of meals she had cooked for the family in 18 years of marriage. Nevertheless, her husband does not take her seriously and mocks her. She complains about all the tasks a woman should do in a house with no help. She even lists all the tasks she has been doing for a long time and seems exhausted by doing them.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit: Is it a Man’s World?

To what extent did gender roles start evolving in the 50s and 60s?

Axe 2: Private and Public Spheres

The document under study is an extract from the TV show “I Love Lucy, broadcast in the 1950s. We can see a family (wife, husband and a child). They are trying to decide what they are going to eat for dinner. The woman is asking her husband and her son their opinion on the matter. They reply back by saying that they do not care what they will eat. They want her to make the decision and chose for them. While the husband just sits there and read his newspaper.

Then,  the wife is complaining because no one is helping her: indeed, being a housewife, every day is the same. She feels lonely, exhausted by her daily chores that she does on repeat.  At some point, she has no idea of types of meal she could cook, because she has cooked so many of them that she runs out of ideas. She even counts all the meals she cooked in 18 years of marriage. Nevertheless, overlooks her exhaustion. He even makes fun of her and never offers a real form of help.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 Balance for Better

The document under study is a video for Balance for Better campaign, for women’s rights and their future in our societies. It was published in 2019 for International Women’s Day. We can hear several people, men and women. They were answering a question: What do you hope gender equality looks like in ten years?

They think that, in ten years, women will have their voices heard in every level of leadership. Moreover, women’s ideas will be celebrated and be given credits. Furthermore, they wish to see more equality in the working world. Besides, women will stop feeling the need to be coached to know how to feel confident and worthy. Instead, they will use this energy for other meaningful projects that will help the world improve. On top of that, women are more and more encouraged to join the scientific fields. As a result, boys and girls should receive the same education in order to have access to the same opportunities.

To conclude, we are all human beings; therefore, everyone should have the same rights and be treated equally. No one should be discriminated against or limited because of their gender.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 Balance for Better

The document under study is a video published in 2019 for International Women’s Day. We can see several women and men who are answering the same question: What do you hope gender equality looks like in ten years?

For example, one of them said that she hopes in ten years women will have a voice in every level of leadership. Moreover, it is important to talk about men and women equality in every field to make a change. Besides, it is important to take the time to listen and involve women more so that can be more represented and feel more worthy and confident. On top of that, women should have the same opportunities on the social, economic and political levels. Furthermore, there should be more women in scientific fields. As a result, boys and girls should be educated the same way in order to access the same opportunities.

These statements are relevant because there are still too much inequalities in our societies. It is very important to help and support one another. No one should be limited or discriminated against because of their gender. Indeed, inequalities are not only about rights, it is also about opportunities, values and behaviors towards one another.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

 (At the fllowing of what we did last time)

The reason why she created this device was because of the Flint water crisis in 2014 (Michigan), she was willing to solve the problem by inventing a new device that could help everyone. Her love for science started when she was 4 years old, her uncle offered her a chemistry kit. She felt the need to finish it in one day. Besides, her opinion on innovation is that it is important to be motivated so that it will be pleasurable. To conclude, her teacher in second grade, when she was 7 years old, told her that she would change the world because she was motivated, creative and generous.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉

 (At the following of what we did last time)

èShe created this device to help resolve the Flint water crisis in 2014 (Michigan). She thought something had to be done in order to solve the problem.

Her love for science started when her uncle offered her a chemistry kit when she was 4 years that she finished in one day. She has a strong opinion about innovation: she says that being motivated is very important so that it will be a real pleasure to innovate. To conclude, her second grade teacher told her that she would surely change the world someday, because at 7 years old she was already very motivated, creative and generous.

 (At the following of what we did last time)

Furthermore, two latino women are also mentioned: Veroniac Escobar and Sylvia Garcia. Ayanna Presley, an African-American woman elected for the state of Massachusetts. Finally, the last one mentioned was Alexandra Occasio-Cortez, a Hispanic woman and also the youngest representative elected at the age of 29. She was elected for the state of New York.

These representatives are mainly Democrats. The message conveyed through this report is that it is a historical moment because we have never seen that many women coming from different ethnic groups elected in Congress. Indeed, it marked a strong change in American politics. Besides, it also showed that voters wanted to see a radical change in their society and they wanted to be properly represented.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy Your Vacation! 😉

Time’s First-Ever Kid of the Year

The document under study is a video from Time magazine that deals with Gitanjali Rao, a 15-year-old scientist. She was elected First-ever Kid Time of the Year in 2020 because she invented a device that can detect the presence of lead in water.

We have learned that she lives in Colorado. Moreover, she shares about her hobbies: she likes to fence,  calligraphy, to bike and to bake. On top of that, she travels a lot with her family. She obviously like science and she really likes animals and especially dinosaurs.

In 2018, she invented a device called Tethys to detect lead in drinking water faster than any other existing devices on the market. Then, it provides all the results on your mobile phone on an app she created. According to her, everyone should have the right to have access to clean drinking water.

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The First Lady Physics

The document under study is an infographic about the life of Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American who was nickname “the First Lady of Physics.”

We have learned that she graduated from Nanjing University in 1934 with top marks. Then, she went to Berkley, California where she studied for a doctorate (PhD). In 1944 and in 1957, her work did not get the recognition it deserved, only male scientists ibn her team got it. Nevertheless, she could receive some awards such as the Comstock prize in physics in 1964. Moreover, she got the National Medal of Science and the Bonner prize in 1975. In addition, she wrote a book published in 1965 that became a reference in physics: Beta Decay. On top of that, ins 1974, she was named “scientist of the year” by a magazine.

Her parents were a teacher and an engineer; hence the teacher helped her pursue academic studies and the engineer directed her towards physics. Besides, they played an important role in her success because without them she would not even have thought of pursuing a job in the research field. On top of that, her parents were also very open-minded and were not scared to let their daughter study in another country. Furthermore, her parents motivated her to succeed because she wanted to prove that them investing in her was not a waste of money.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Lady of Physics

The document is an infographic that deals with the life of Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American nuclear physicist. We have learned that she graduated from Berkley University in 1934 with top marks. It is interesting to note that, in 1944 and in 1957, her work did not get the recognition it deserved, indeed, only the male scientists in her team were awarded. Her ideas were stolen. Nevertheless, in 1964 she earned the Comstock prize in physics. A year later, published a book that became a reference in physics: Beta Decay.

Then in 1974, she was named scientist of the year by a magazine. The following year, she won the Bonner prize and the National Medal of Science. On top of that, she became the first woman president of the national Society of Physics.

Her parents played a big role in her success: indeed, they were an engineer and a teacher. They were able to guide her properly in her choice of field of study. Besides, they were supportive by letting her go study far away from them. They were also open-minded to let their daughter be able to study in another country. We can also say that she must have been inspired by her parents because of their jobs.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Seizing Opportunities: Yes, She Can!

The document under study is news report from CBC News, published in 2018. It deals with the mid-terms of 2018 when for the first time several women from different ethnic groups were elected to the House of Representatives. These women made history. 

The first woman mentioned is Rachida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American and a Muslim as Ilhan Omar, Somali-American and a former refugee. Moreover, there were two Native American women, Sharice Davids and Deb Hallen.

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

Homework: Lean the lesson.

Seizing Opportunities: Yes, She Can!

The document under study is a video from CBC News, it is a news report about the election of new representatives for Congress in the USA. They were elected during the mid-terms in 2018. The particularity of the new representatives is that there were several women who were elected. On top of that, these women all belonged to different ethnic groups. They made history.

The first one mentioned is Rachida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American. The second one is Ilhan Omar, Somali-American Muslim and a former refugee. Then, there were two Native American women mentioned; Sharice Davids and Deb Hallen.

(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)

Text B

The document under study is an extract from a novel entitled “The Edible Woman”, written by Margaret Atwood in 1969. In this extract, the main character is reflecting over her life and career. She comes to the conclusion that she has studied too much and is now overqualified as a result she cannot suit the society she lives in and find a suitable job. Indeed, she is too impressive as a woman.

The main character is going through an unfair situation. She is living a form of injustice. Indeed, she is being discriminated against just because she as too many degrees for a woman.  She is struggling against glass-ceiling. She is the example of woman who face discrimination in the working world.

Common points and conclusion of the two texts:

The two characters are being criticized, discriminated and prejudiced against because of their gender. On top of that, both of them are women that are limited to other’s expectations. In fact, they cannot emancipate because it was decided that it is not their role and that they cannot be qualified and have a suitable job. Those women accuse the society because even if they are capable, they want them to give birth and to stay underneath men and not above them. Unfortunately, it is as if women could not free themselves from the way society perceive them.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Facing Challenges 

Text A

The document under study is an extract from a novel entitled “Stay with Me”, written by A. Adabayo, published in 2017. There are two characters, Yejide and her mother-in-law Moomi. 

Yejide is being criticized by her mother-in-law because she has not had children with her son yet. Her mother-in-law seems furious about it. Indeed, Yejide is being blame as if she wereresponsible for this situation. Besides, even her identity is being denied just because she has not given birth yet “nobody should call you a woman”. 

The message the author would like to convey is that, first of all, women are reduced to motherhood and do not have the support from fellow women/counterparts. Indeed,  women are not only meant to be mothers. In fact, women should be allowed to do whatever they wish to do without feeling the need to express their choices. 

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

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Hedy Lamarr

We have learned about Hedy Lamarr who was a famous American woman, an actress in Hollywood, a scientist and an inventor. She was active in the 1940s. Google decided to honor her with a doodle because she had an extraordinary life. Indeed, she was not only a well-known actress, but also a renowned scientist who invented a system to prevent the Germans from spying the USA during WWII. She used Morse signals through radio waves to communicate from afar. Her discovery led to the invention of Wi-Fi. 

Her invention has a great impact on our daily lives. Indeed, if she had not invented this system, we would not be able to use wireless connection today.

Unit 4: Multicultural New Zealand

To what extent have Pakehas and Maoris paved the way for a multicultural future in New Zealand.

Multicultural New Zealand

Multiculturalism in New Zealand is the presence of people with different cultures living together, including Europeans, Americans, Africans, Asians… plus the Native people from New Zealand, the Maori people. It is about be able to live together despite the differences, accepting one another and respecting one another to live in unity.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 4: Women of Power

To what extent have women used the public sphere as a platform for empowerment?

Axe 2: Public and Pricate Spaces

Michelle Obama’s Education

The document under study is a video of an interview of Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the USA. We have learned that, as a little girl, Michelle was having piano lessons from her aunt Robbie at the age of 4. Michelle was learning very fast just by hearing the scale, however, her aunt Robbie had another method to teach and wanted to apply it to Michelle. Nevertheless, Michelle did not like it. Michelle parents encouraged her to speak her mind because what she had to say was relevant and meaningful. Moreover, she was encouraged to share her feelings because they were real and not only to speak when spoken to. Her parents believed that acting this way would help her build her personality. Hence, the education and the advice she received as a young girl were the basis for her to become a future First Lady and have a lot of influence not only in the USA but in the world.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Unit 4: STEM Women Rock!

What did sciences owe to women?

Axe: Living in generations

Tech Girls Rock!

The document under study is a video that introduces an initiative from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) called “Tech Girls Rock”. Young middle school girls are encouraged to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Indeed, usually, people do not see women do science or anything related to the STEM field. However, the goal of BGCA is to create the next generation of innovators and leaders including women. To do so, young girls are invited to listen to their hearts and to not hesitate to raise their hands in class. Eventually, the goal is to go against the clichés/stereotypes and encourage girls to do science if they want to.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Invictus, Movie Trailer

The document under study is a trailer for the movie “Invictus” released in December 2009. It deals with president Nelson Mandela whose wish is to win the World Cup of rugby to unite the nation in 1995. Indeed, Black people and White people were divided because of the previous period of Apartheid. It was visible even in sport: White people would support the South African team, while the black people would support the opposite team.

Upon noticing that, Mandela wished to win the Rugby World Cup to unite the country. He invited the captain of the team to encourage them to win the World Cup in order to unite the population through sport. The rugby players did not totally agree, but they were motivated to win. Eventually, the rugby players, led by their captain, François Pienaar, went to meet young Black South Africans to make them feel more connected to them.

To conclude, the message of the movie is to show how people should unite and come together as a whole despite the differences. Besides, there is also the promotion of forgiveness and to rise and shine for a brighter future. The Word “Invictus” means “Undefeated”.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

The Declaration of Independence

We have learned that the Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson July 4^th 1776. Then, it was signed by the leaders of the thirteen colonies. It was signed in Philadelphia. The American colonies wanted to be independent from Great Britain because there were too many taxes. Besides, there were no representatives of the American colonies in the British Parliament at the time. From this episode, a famous quote was said: “No representation, no taxation!”. Therefore, the Americans thought it was best for them to be independent from Great Britain.

Nowadays, Americans still celebrate this episode as it is considered as being the birthday of the USA (13 colonies). American people celebrate it through family gatherings, sharing barbecue meals, watching fireworks and attending concerts and parades.

Paradoxically, Thomas Jefferson, the one who drafted the Declaration was himself a slave owner. And while he was fighting for freedom, it was only for the White Americans ignoring the black slaves on the territory. Hence, we can say that from the beginning, the USA was built on a paradox: land of the free (white people), home of the oppressed (black people).

Homework: Learn the lesson.

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.