The Eight Stages of Genocide and the Holocaust

For this post, you will need to log into ABC-CLIO Genocide on the Blake Database. The user name and password is: blake blake. You will be directed to the site Modern Genocides. Here make sure to select "Show All" in the bottom right hand corner.

Next select a genocide. Read the one page article, taking notes on your own paper. Using your notes, create a post in which you:

1. Give the name and dates of your selected genocide.
2. Give the cause of the event.
3. Give the consequences.
4. Share one other aspect of the event that you feel is important for the rest of your class to know. 

You will turn in your notes for a separate grade!

Indifference

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”   
                                                       ~Elie Wiesel

Read the article (see link below) "38 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" by Martin Gansberg. 

www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/scraig/gansberg.html

After reading, respond to both the article and the quotation above by Elie Wiesel. Be ready to use this article in the discussion next Monday.

Evil: Where Does It Come From?

After listening to the TedTalk on evil and where it comes from:
1. share one idea you learned,
2. ask one question you have,
3. and define what a hero means to you.

What do you want to change about the world?

Martine Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X gave their lives to change the world. They could not go on with things the same old way and not do something about it. Their efforts have made a lasting impact on the world we live in -- while certainly not perfect, the world is better because of their ideas and their sacrifices.

What do you want to change about the world and why?

Week Two: Answer second question!

I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America. The post for this week: This poem speaks of the American Dream and what it means to us and to those who have come before us. What is your understanding of the American Dream? The post for next week: Read the poem by Langston Hughes, one many of you may be familiar with, and comment in your post about its message. Discuss the relationship between the poem's message and either King or Malcolm X's message as well.

The American Dream...THIS POST IS FOR TWO WEEKS!

I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America. The post for this week: This poem speaks of the American Dream and what it means to us and to those who have come before us. What is your understanding of the American Dream? The post for next week: Read the poem by Langston Hughes, one many of you may be familiar with, and comment in your post about its message. Discuss the relationship between the poem's message and either King or Malcolm X's message as well.

The Power of Words

http://www.ted.com/talks/anna_deavere_smith_s_american_character.html

You are in for a treat! 

Before we begin to look at rhetoric, the language of persuasion, let's look at the power of words simply - from the voice of everyday people.  Anne Deveare Smith takes on three Americans and their words and gives us a glimpse at some funny, poignant, and disturbing elements of life and our human nature.

Take the time to listen to all three vignettes. Speak to one in your post, sharing with your classmates what stood out to you, what you learned about human nature, and what you learned about the power of simple words themselves.

Taming of the Shrew and Gender Equality: The Argument

Our play has some very interesting (and sometimes disturbing) things to say about relationships between men and women, the power dynamic between the two, and the
need for men in Shakespeare's day to make a woman "submit."

Think about those same power dynamics at play today. 

Do you think social media, entertainment, and music work to diminish the power and sense of agency in women or do they work to empower women?

Please use a specific example to support your response.

Adversity

As we conclude our study of the Greek hero Odysseus, I am reminded of a woman who faced adversity through no fault of her own, Aimee Mullins. The spirit of her story reminds me that there are so many heroes we meet in life who can provide both inspiration and challenge.

After watching the video, list your take-aways: What is it that sticks with you about this woman? What does it ask you to consider about your own circumstances?

ANSWER BOTH OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS!


https://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity