American Corner Iasi

Events

English Class @ AC Iasi – Martin Luther King

On January 15, 2007, as part of the “English Class at the American Corner” project, American Corner Iasi hosted an interactive meeting with 20 high school students in order to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

In addition, an exhibit on the same theme was organized that included works on Martin Luther King’s life and activity available at American Corner.

The 10th grade students of “G. Ibraileanu” Theoretical High School came accompanied by their English teacher and high school librarian.

The discussions started with a short presentation of the Reconstruction period and an introduction of the 13, 14 and 15 Amendments, which refer to the liberation of the slaves, guaranteeing their civil rights and protecting their rights to vote.

Continuing the incursion in history, the conversation went on about the white men’s opposition to the abolition of slavery and about the reaction of African-Americans, who had to take control of their faith and to try to win the freedom on their own. This effort brought in the nation’s attention their leader, Martin Luther King Jr.

Each student presented the materials they’ve prepared and shared opinions about Martin Luther King’s personality and about his successful non-violent fight against discrimination of the African-Americans in the United States.

In the end the students read passages from Martin Luther King’s famous speeches: “I Have a Dream” (1963) and his acceptance of the Nobel Prize for Peace speech (1964).

His speeches didn’t enter only in the history of the civil rights movement in the United States of America, but also in the history of rhetoric. They are very appropriate for an English class because Martin Luther King chose to express his wishes in simple words and accessible metaphors.

English Class @ AC Iasi – Martin Luther King

In data de 15 ianuarie 2007, American Corner Iasi a organizat, in cadrul proiectului “English Class at the American Corner”, o intalnire interactiva cu 20 de elevi, prilejuita de celebrarea lui Martin Luther King Jr.

In plus, a fost organizata si o expozitie pe aceeasi tema cu lucrari despre viata si activitatea lui Martin Luther King disponibile la American Corner.

Participatii au fost elevii clasei a-X-a E de la Liceul Teoretic “G. Ibraileanu” Iasi, insotiti de profesoara de engleza si de bibliotecara liceului.

Discutiile au debutat cu o scurta prezentare a perioadei de Reconstructie si cu o introducere a Amendamentelor 13, 14 si 15 referitoare la eliberarea sclavilor, garantarea drepturilor lor civile si protejarea drepturilor lor la vot.

Continuand incursiunea in istorie, conversatia s-a axat pe opozitia albilor la desegregare si pe reactia afro-americanilor, nevoiti astfel sa preia controlul propriilor sorti si sa incerce sa sfarseasca segregarea ei insisi. Acest efort a atras atentia intregii natiuni asupra liderului sau, reverendul Martin Luther King Jr.

Fiecare dintre elevii a prezentat materialul pregatit anterior si si-au impartasit parerile despre personalitatea lui Martin Luther King si despre lupta sa non-violenta, incununata de succes, impotriva discriminarii persoanelor de culoare din Statele Unite.

In incheierea discutiilor au fost citite pasaje din discursurile celebre ale lui Martin Luther King: “I Have a Dream” (1963) si discursul de acceptare al Premiului Nobel pentru Pace (1964).

Discursurile sale nu au intrat doar in istoria miscarii pentru drepturile cetatenesti din Statele Unite ale Americii, ci si in istoria retoricii. Ele sunt foarte potrivite pentru o ora de engleza, deoarece Martin Luther King a ales sa isi formuleze doleantele in cuvinte simple si metafore accesibile.

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