Civil Disobedience; The Issue of Race in America

Please consider the following points:

• According to the contemporary philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer, our prejudices and beliefs, the questions we think are worth asking, and the kinds of answers we are satisfied with are all a product of our history and culture. He suggests that we can never reach an absolute objective perspective on anything. The process of understanding our lives and existence is similar to having a "conversation with history" wherein we deepen our understanding of our own present lives by examining the past. 

• The Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana wrote the now-famous, but misinterpreted statement: "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." For progress to be possible, we must not only remember the past, but also able to learn from it in order to find different ways of doing things. Progress is not a revolution so much as an adaptation and therefore, he would contend, civilization is a cumulative process.

Now take 5 minutes to read:
Henry David Thoreau's idea that it is "a citizen's right to [engage in civil disobedience]" and Frantz Fanon's philosophy on colonialism from his book Black Skin, White Masks.

• After reading and taking notes on key ideas, respond creatively in your journals/notes to any of these ideas. 
• Turn to a neighbor on your RIGHT and quickly share at least one idea that you had or that you thought was important from what you read.

As regards Thoreau, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in his autobiography: "I became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. No other person has been more eloquent and passionate in getting this idea across than Henry David Thoreau. As a result of his writings and personal witness, we are the heirs of a legacy of creative protest."

• Adding this quote to what you have read, and recently seen if you went to the play at Geva, compose a question about the future of "race-relations" or the "culture war" in America. 
• Turn to the person on the other side of you from your previous sharing (the person to your LEFT), and ask your question to this person. Take 3-5 minutes to discuss.

Now, let's continue our discussion by listening to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's address to the Jewish Committee in 1958. For background information about this speech, you may look here.

As you listen to the speech, take notes, create a concept map or mind map of key ideas that resonate with you. You will use your concept maps/notes, etc. in a creative response project that might include:

• a speech (our Coffeehouse is coming up...)
• a creative non-fiction essay
• a poem that might be entered into Nazareth's poetry contest (due by March 15) dealing with "The Quest for Freedom." [see flier]. Students entering this contest will gain extra credit.
• Your own creative idea using a genre you prefer

All final drafts of this project should be included in your portfolio. Portfolios are due March 18.

HOMEWORK: Please continue to work on your 3-minute philosophy projects. Complete the assignment above for your portfolio (due March 15). Read: The Stranger.