America is paradox.
Many Americans deeply hold the belief that America is, as sung in its national anthem, "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave". However, many Americans, for personal as well as wider social and economic reasons, are trapped in cycles of poverty and even... stuck in prison. This is not the kind of freedom as we might imagine it to be here in Denmark. (But to be fair, for some Americans, Denmark might not seem all that free...but that's another "can of worms" ;-))
Income inequality and racial injustice are major issues in the current US election campaigns, after the country has become both richer and poorer in past decades and as major race related incidents between police and unarmed black youth marked the past year.
Today (26.5) - Monday (30.5) assignment
What to Produce:
1. Is race difficult to talk about? Themes/vocabulary written on board (Quick class discussion)
2. What do you know about racial issues in the United States? (or Denmark) (Discuss)
3. Listen to a 'White Privilege II' while reading the lyrics a couple of times... (Listen/read)
4. Discuss what the song is about and to which historical events it refers to... (Discuss)
5. Watch two You Tuber's reactions to the video... (Watch/Listen)
After discussing, watching and reading through comments, you will be ready for part II.
You will create your own debates, in groups of 2 or 4, based upon the different views found in the comments sections, as well as - more importantly - your own ideas. This debate must be written as if you were two people having a discussion in a comments section of a You Tube Video comments section about the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis video for White Privilege II.
debate by sending e-mails to each other. Send me the back and forth exchange - all together in ONE E-MAIL ONLY :-)
Debate question:
Is there a thing such as White Privilege, or is racism simply racism no matter which way it is directed?
Flip a coin to find out who takes which standpoint:
a. White Privilege must be fought. White Privilege is real!
or
b. Fighting white privilege is a form of racism itself. White Privilege is a myth!
Links:
White Privilege II, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (the song)
Dave Chapelle: why terrorists won't take black people as hostage Watch the first 2:45 in class.
Black Lives Matter Visit the website and Google other information if you would like
Number of people in prison per 100,000 inhabitants
(Incarceration Rate)
Many Americans deeply hold the belief that America is, as sung in its national anthem, "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave". However, many Americans, for personal as well as wider social and economic reasons, are trapped in cycles of poverty and even... stuck in prison. This is not the kind of freedom as we might imagine it to be here in Denmark. (But to be fair, for some Americans, Denmark might not seem all that free...but that's another "can of worms" ;-))
Income inequality and racial injustice are major issues in the current US election campaigns, after the country has become both richer and poorer in past decades and as major race related incidents between police and unarmed black youth marked the past year.
Today (26.5) - Monday (30.5) assignment
What to Produce:
- Compose an online exchange of ideas between two groups with different points of view.
- Work in groups of 2 or 4, not 3.
- You will do this by composing and sending e-mails to the other group.
- The exchange of ideas should include at least 5 emails from each side (10 in total)
- Emails may be one paragraph of 3-4 sentences or more. No foul language.
- The exchange of ideas may lead to a resolution of a conflict or not. You decide.
- The final chain of emails should be sent to me. This is what you will be graded on.
1. Is race difficult to talk about? Themes/vocabulary written on board (Quick class discussion)
2. What do you know about racial issues in the United States? (or Denmark) (Discuss)
3. Listen to a 'White Privilege II' while reading the lyrics a couple of times... (Listen/read)
4. Discuss what the song is about and to which historical events it refers to... (Discuss)
5. Watch two You Tuber's reactions to the video... (Watch/Listen)
- Papa Longlegs' Review of White Privilege II
- Papi Memo's Review of White Privilege II
6. Watch part of the conversation below and read the comments in the comments section. (BE AWARE - these comments are NOT TRUTHS, but REFLECTIONS of individuals. You Tube comments are famous for being full of hate, as well as love and respect. So read them carefully and use your language skills together with your strong minds try to identify "haters" as well as people who may be overly naive.
Also read the debate (link#2)
PART II - Writing your debates
After discussing, watching and reading through comments, you will be ready for part II.
You will create your own debates, in groups of 2 or 4, based upon the different views found in the comments sections, as well as - more importantly - your own ideas. This debate must be written as if you were two people having a discussion in a comments section of a You Tube Video comments section about the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis video for White Privilege II.
debate by sending e-mails to each other. Send me the back and forth exchange - all together in ONE E-MAIL ONLY :-)
Debate question:
Is there a thing such as White Privilege, or is racism simply racism no matter which way it is directed?
Flip a coin to find out who takes which standpoint:
a. White Privilege must be fought. White Privilege is real!
or
b. Fighting white privilege is a form of racism itself. White Privilege is a myth!
- Is White Privilege Real - DEBATE (look at for ideas)
Links:
White Privilege II, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (the song)
Dave Chapelle: why terrorists won't take black people as hostage Watch the first 2:45 in class.
Black Lives Matter Visit the website and Google other information if you would like
Number of people in prison per 100,000 inhabitants
(Incarceration Rate)