Judging Who’s Worthy of Inclusion

In your journal write your answer to: What do you think is the meaning of equality today?

Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg Address Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln November 19, 1863

After speech questions: What does “Four score and seven years ago” mean? What is Lincoln referring to in this first sentence? What is the purpose of the address that Lincoln is giving? What was “that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion?” Do you think all of the soldiers who died fighting at Gettysburg were fighting for the same cause? Why or why not? [Note: the cemetery was for the Union dead, only] In the last clause, what is meant by government “of the people, by the people, for the people?” What is the connection among freedom, equality, and government of, by, and for the people? What is the significance of the Gettysburg Address? Is it important for us today?

I Have a Dream Speech Preview: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave this speech to hundreds of thousands of civil rights supporters in August 1963. As you watch this speech, answer the following questions. Be prepared to share your responses later. What is the subject of Dr. King’s speech?   How would you describe the background? What is the most memorable moment for you? How much progress has our nation made towards the dream of Dr. King?

Role of Privilege in Inclusion Is what Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. want, the same? Explain. How are their points of view different and can never be totally alike? Privilege Walk Video What do you think?

All Blue-eyed, Blondes please have a seat in the comfy chairs All Blue-eyed, Blondes please have a seat in the comfy chairs. You have all proven your superiority and trustworthiness. All others please sit in your normal desk. We will try to educate you the best we can.

What rights did I take away What rights did I take away? What privileges did I give those with blue eyes like me? Were my actions fair? Why or why not? Do I have any evidence to reward blond, blue eye students? Is prejudice based on evidence? Explain. Why does prejudice happen? If we can “create” prejudice so easily, can we “destroy” it just as easily? What can we do about prejudice? What actions can we take as individuals in our day to day lives to combat prejudice?

A Class Divided As you watch the video, write down things you notice and your responses to things that happen.

General Reactions What did you learn? What scene or scenes do you think you'll still remember a month from now and why those scenes? Did any part of the film surprise you? Do you think someone of a different race, ethnicity, or religion would also find it surprising? How was the exercise that Elliott designed a response to the children's question, "Why would anyone want to murder Martin Luther King?" Did the film provide an answer to the question? Can you answer the question?

Impact of Discrimination What did the children's body language indicate about the impact of discrimination? How did the negative and positive labels placed on a group become self-fulfilling prophecies? In the prison seminar, one of the white women asserts that all people face some kind of discrimination. Another woman challenges her, claiming that whites can't really know what it's like to face discrimination every minute of every day. What do you think? Both Elliott and her former students talk about whether or not this exercise should be done with all children. What do you think? If the exercise could be harmful to children, as Elliott suggests, what do you think actual discrimination might do?

Looking at the Structures that Nurture Bias What features did Elliott ascribe to the superior and inferior groups and how did those characteristics reflect stereotypes about blacks and whites? How did Elliott's discrimination create no-win situations for those placed in the inferior group? How did she selectively interpret behavior to confirm the stereotypes she had assigned? It's easy to understand why third-graders might not refuse to obey their teacher, but when the exercise is done with the prison guards, why don't any of the adults object?

Looking for Answers At recess, two of the boys from different groups get in a fight. Elliott asks the one who was teased if responding with violence made him feel better or made the teasing stop. What does the answer suggest about the use of violence as a political strategy? At the time, who was using violence for political purposes and why?

Looking for Answers Write a half page essay using RACES on the following prompt: How is the blue eyes/brown eyes exercise related to the Sioux prayer, "Help me not judge a person until I have walked in his shoes"?