Monday, October 15, 2012

How do we respond to injustice?

How do we bear witness to injustices?  Helmuth talked about having spirit and action.  He wanted his people to know the truth about the lies Hitler was telling his people, so he listened to the BBC (illegally)  to get the truth.  He then, took the truth he learned, and wrote pamphlets to educate others about what was really happening.  Irene wanted to protect those who were most vulnerable.  In a time where one could be killed for even giving a bread crumb to a jew, she believed that one person can make a difference.  After the war, once she got to the United States, she spent much of her time talking to school kids about her experiences, sharing her story of courage because she believed that kids were the next generation to make the world a better place.  How do you stand up against injustice?  In your opinion, what is worth standing up for?    Share your ideas.  Create a list.  Document your conversation.


Pakistani school girls pray for the Malala's recovery on Wednesday. Over the weekend, the teen moved her limbs after doctors "reduced sedation to make a clinical assessment," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said.
Pakistani school girls pray for the Malala's recovery on Wednesday. Over the weekend, the teen moved her limbs after doctors "reduced sedation to make a clinical assessment," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said.

Pakistani civil society activists carry banners in Islamabad on Wednesday as they shout ant-Taliban slogans during a protest against the assassination attempt.

What's Worth Standing Up For?

Meet Mona Eltahawy, an Egyptian American, who stands up for what she believes in. She uses her voice and her writing to speak her truth.  Mona Eltahawy is an award-winning columnist and an international public speaker on Arab and Muslim issues. Check out the link and watch the video. 


 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/12/anti-muslim-hate-speech-mona-eltahawy

Explore the web to find out what the story is.  What can you uncover?  What is the issue?  Why is Mona speaking up?  What actions does she take?   Do you agree or disagree with what she is doing? 


Click the link below to watch another video clip. 
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/up-with-chris-hayes/49229667#49229667


 
  
Discuss the story and the story about the story. 
    
In your opinion:  Do Mona's actions reveal her as an Upstander?  Bystander?  Perpetrator or Victim?  
Make a claim and  use evidence from what you read to support your thinking.  

Document  your group's discussion on big paper.  Be prepared to share with large group.

Friday, October 12, 2012

What Does Courage Look Like?


Follow link below to listen to14-year-old Malala Yousufzai being interviewed in 2011 by a CNN reporter.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/10/world/asia/pakistan-teen-activist-attack/index.html

At this site, watch the video  and read article.  Work together to:
  • Gather information about what happened and why.
  • Find out if Malala is an upstander, bystander, perpetrator or victim.
  • Explain why you think this.  Use evidence to support your claims.
  • As a group create a list of questions you want to know more about. 
Discussion:  Discuss with your group how  this story connects to our readings. What can be learned from these stories?  Document your discussion on chart paper.

  • Explore the web to find more examples of young people who have the courage to stand up for their rights.
  • Organize all of your new learning to share with large group.