Write.
Look at the picture of the fist in the cover photo. Write all the words you can see in your notebooks. What do these words mean? Have you ever been treated unfairly or unjustly? Describe your experience.
The man in the cover photo is George Floyd. Have you heard of him? What do you know about his story?
Read.
The killing of George Floyd has shocked the world and it shows that racism is still a burning issue in the USA. George Floyd died for no other reason than being a black man. He was arrested, handcuffed and lying on the sidewalk. He died because the police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes although he cried "I can't breathe!" several times.
How does this story make you feel?
Days of rioting and confrontations with the police followed. Black Lives Matter and other civil rights organizations organize protests all across America.
If you don't understand the word RIOTING, click on the dictionary button.
Write.
What do you think is the best way to protest? Copy this table in your notebooks and write PROS and CONS for different types of protest.
Black Lives Matter fights against something called "systemic racism". Look at these pictures and see if you can understand the problem.
Systemic racism means that racism shows up in all the institutions of the American society: education, employment, housing, government in a way that it prevents black people from getting good education, highly paid or decision making jobs etc.
Think.
Remember the lesson about Rosa Parks and the start of the civil rights movement? That was in the 1950s. How much have things changed for the black people in the USA since?
Listen.
Watch this video carefully. LL Cool J is a famous American rapper and actor. He mentions a lot of names. They are all names of innocent young black men and women killed by the police. Write the verses that affected you the most in your notebook!
In the video LL Cool J looks angry and frustrated and talks about "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth". What does that mean?
Speak.
Explore.
Create.
Thank you for doing the lesson and remember...
“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Credits:
Created with images by Obi Onyeador - "A protester in Washington DC holds a sign featuring George Floyd." • LOGAN WEAVER - "PORTRAITS INSTAGRAM - @LGNWVRPRTRTS EDITORIAL INSTAGRAM - @LGNWVRPHTO PERSONAL INSTAGRAM - @LGNWVR" • Vince Fleming - "untitled image" • Clay Banks - "No Justice, No Peace (IG: @clay.banks)" • Mike Von - "George Floyd Protest"