Tradition of OppressionNative Americans and Slaves

11/28-12/3

Pop Quiz

Please answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper.

No talking.

Going back in time

What was the policy towards Native Americans during the colonial period?

How did that policy change over time between the colonial and Civil War time periods? Between then and now?

Historically, who has been oppressed in America?

Who are the oppressors?

How far have we progressed?

Where are we still stuck?

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration

Speech at a large outdoor gathering outside Seattle

Meeting Governor Isaac Ingalls Stevens

Surrender or sale of native land

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration

Published 30 years after the speech

“Translated” by Dr. Henry Smith who did not know Chief Seattle’s native language

Admitted that it was only a “fragment” of the original speech

The poetic flourishes are questionable

As you reread the speech, keep in mind its controversy. How much do we trust these words? What should we do when we have an untrustworthy text?

In small groups: Close read your chunk to present to the class

Homework

Write two Yellow Pages style rhetorical analyses over two different pieces of textual evidence from Chief Seattle’s speech.

1 from your chunk

1 from another

Watch Obama’s Speech on Immigration and write a rhetorical précis for a Level 1 grade:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/10/remarks-president-comprehensive-immigration-reform-el-paso-texas

TAKE OUT A PIECE OF PAPER AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON YOUR OWN

1. Interpret the message ?

2. Who might the intended audience be?

3. What is it in response to? advocating for?

4. Why might someone be offended by this message?

This image has become relatively popular in recent years and is often displayed, in different variations, on t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc.

Rhetoric of Protest

In 2006, among reform marches and political debates in Washington on immigration policy, a Spanish reinterpretation of the U.S. national anthem, titled “Nuestro Himno” (Our Anthem), was released.

Featuring Wyclef Jean, Pitbull, Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon the song was received by Americans with much controversy.

Rhetoric of Protest

NPR A Spanish Version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner’:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5369145

How do you receive this Spanish variation of our national anthem?

What do think the writers/singers are advocating for or protesting against?

Why were some people offended by this interpretation?

11/30-12/3 Discussion of Warm-up and Homework

In what ways do the struggles of modern immigrants parallel those of Native Americans in America’s nascent periods?

What are some of the pros and cons of how our government currently treats the immigration issue?

What do you think is the best immigration policy going forward?

Social Issues

What other social issues were present during this time period?

What were the varying attitudes towards those issues?

How did have oppressed people responded to unequal treatment?

How has America’s response to those issues evolved in the present day?

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895)

Born as a slave in Maryland, he became the best known Black American leader of the 19th century.

The first half of his life, after his escape from slavery in 1838, was spent in the abolition movement

To escape re-enslavement, Douglass had to leave the US to seek refuge in England. With financial help from English Quakers, Douglass purchased his own freedom from his former owners and returned in 1847 as a free man.

In 1852 , invited to give speech in Rochester, Douglass delivered the following indictment of a nation celebrating freedom and independence, while still keeping slaves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tTkHJWxfP0

Group Work

In groups, complete a SOAPSTone and 2 YP style rhetorical analysis paragraphs.

Focus specifically on audience and Douglass’s effect on his audience.

Homework

Read and SOAPSTone the following speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/25/rem

arks-president-clinton-global-initiative

Using the speech as a jumping off point, answer the question: What responsibility does the United States have to intervene

in human rights’ controversies across the globe?