Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
Democracy, the rule of the people by the people, requires constant vigilance and civic participation in order for it meet the changing demands of society. History has demonstrated that when a people become complacent, the liberties and freedoms imparted by democracy can just as quickly be diminished and lost. Today, the long history of racial and social injustice has mobilized millions into popular protest and coalesced the Black Lives Matter Movement. The movement has drawn attention to the social, political and economic inequalities and injustices brought onto people of color in this country. Many of those lifting their voices have expressed their frustration of exclusion from the decision making process of the country. African Americans have been marginalized and segregated by racist policies and exploited by economic elites. The Black Lives Matter Movement have taken their collective voices outside the traditional channels of the political process to manifest popular protest.
Democracy, the rule of the people by the people, requires constant vigilance and civic participation in order for it meet the changing demands of society. History has demonstrated that when a people become complacent, the liberties and freedoms imparted by democracy can just as quickly be diminished and lost. Today, the long history of racial and social injustice has mobilized millions into popular protest and coalesced the Black Lives Matter Movement. The movement has drawn attention to the social, political and economic inequalities and injustices brought onto people of color in this country. Many of those lifting their voices have expressed their frustration of exclusion from the decision making process of the country. African Americans have been marginalized and segregated by racist policies and exploited by economic elites. The Black Lives Matter Movement have taken their collective voices outside the traditional channels of the political process to manifest popular protest.
Why do people risk their lives to demand equality?
Why do people risk their lives to demand equality?
Why doesn't the political process address the needs of all people, including the poor and marginalized?
Why doesn't the political process address the needs of all people, including the poor and marginalized?
The right to protest against injustice and oppression was infused in the DNA of America in the Declaration of Independence. The author of this protest document, Thomas Jefferson, warned against those who might usurp the mechanisms of political power against its very own people and the imperative and right for the people to stand up and reject them:
The right to protest against injustice and oppression was infused in the DNA of America in the Declaration of Independence. The author of this protest document, Thomas Jefferson, warned against those who might usurp the mechanisms of political power against its very own people and the imperative and right for the people to stand up and reject them:
"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. "
"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. "
When people have been disenfranchised, marginalized, segregated, exploited and enslaved they have turned to each other to stand up to injustice. Music has always been a way to bring people together. Throughout history, social movements have used songs, ballads, and poems to build solidarity and to articulate the ideals which the group espouses.
When people have been disenfranchised, marginalized, segregated, exploited and enslaved they have turned to each other to stand up to injustice. Music has always been a way to bring people together. Throughout history, social movements have used songs, ballads, and poems to build solidarity and to articulate the ideals which the group espouses.
Individuals and Societies Overview
Individuals and Societies Overview
Throughout the academic year, the students will explore the ideas of power/exclusion in the 8th grade Individuals and Societies curriculum. Students will be presented with the voices of dissent throughout the curriculum in the form of songs, ballads, and poems. Students will employ the historical thinking methodology of contextualization, perspective, purpose/motivation and audience to these voices and art forms to move toward a deeper understanding of the motivation to resistance and dissent by people.
Throughout the academic year, the students will explore the ideas of power/exclusion in the 8th grade Individuals and Societies curriculum. Students will be presented with the voices of dissent throughout the curriculum in the form of songs, ballads, and poems. Students will employ the historical thinking methodology of contextualization, perspective, purpose/motivation and audience to these voices and art forms to move toward a deeper understanding of the motivation to resistance and dissent by people.
Through songs students will explore the ideas, values and principles which are enshrined in our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Amendments of the Constitution. Students will apply their finding to the social and economic history of the United States and evaluate the root causes of struggle of between marginalized groups.
Through songs students will explore the ideas, values and principles which are enshrined in our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Amendments of the Constitution. Students will apply their finding to the social and economic history of the United States and evaluate the root causes of struggle of between marginalized groups.
The students will apply their learning by executing the following activities (deliverable)
The students will apply their learning by executing the following activities (deliverable)
- The students will apply the historical thinking methodology to analyze a song of protest.
- The students will compose the lyrics to their own song of protest, elaborating on something they personally feel is an injustice or form of oppression.
- Student reflection
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