Web Site Purpose Statement
Students in Ms. Johnson and Ms. Thurman's Honors African American History classes made this web site in order to study human rights violations and the incredible people working to end them as a part of the Speak Truth to Power curriculum sponsored by Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Teachers Union and the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation. Students a contemporary human rights abuse going on in the world today and a related African or African American human rights activists to learn about how one person can make a difference in the world. Using the framework of the 2012-2013 National History Day Theme of Turning Points, students researched the reasons these defenders became activists as well as successes they have achieved and obstacles still faced by those trying to make the world a better place.
From the Speak Truth to Power Curriculum Web Site (http://blogs.nysut.org/sttp/about/)
"Speak Truth To Power, a project of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, is a multi-faceted global initiative that uses the experiences of courageous defenders from around the world to educate students and others about human rights, and urge them to take action. Issues range from slavery and environmental activism to religious self-determination and political participation."
"Speak Truth To Power began as a book written by Kerry Kennedy (since translated into 6 languages with more coming) and has been adapted into a dramatic production by Ariel Dorfman." Teachers, first in New York city and last year in Chicago, developed curriculum units to be taught in schools across the nation about these remarkable individuals. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Thurman were involved in the Chicago project to develop additional curriculum and incorporate it into their classes. These web sites are the students' first exposure to many of these defenders and to the idea of speaking truth to power.
For more information about the STTP project in Chicago, go to http://www.cps.edu/Programs/Academic_and_enrichment/Pages/SpeakTruthtoPower.aspx
Click on the links below to read more about human rights and the UDHR
What are human rights?
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
What does it mean to be a defender of human rights? Can one student defend human rights?
by Pascal (in Ms. Johnson's 7th period class in 2011-2012)
From the Speak Truth to Power Curriculum Web Site (http://blogs.nysut.org/sttp/about/)
"Speak Truth To Power, a project of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, is a multi-faceted global initiative that uses the experiences of courageous defenders from around the world to educate students and others about human rights, and urge them to take action. Issues range from slavery and environmental activism to religious self-determination and political participation."
"Speak Truth To Power began as a book written by Kerry Kennedy (since translated into 6 languages with more coming) and has been adapted into a dramatic production by Ariel Dorfman." Teachers, first in New York city and last year in Chicago, developed curriculum units to be taught in schools across the nation about these remarkable individuals. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Thurman were involved in the Chicago project to develop additional curriculum and incorporate it into their classes. These web sites are the students' first exposure to many of these defenders and to the idea of speaking truth to power.
For more information about the STTP project in Chicago, go to http://www.cps.edu/Programs/Academic_and_enrichment/Pages/SpeakTruthtoPower.aspx
Click on the links below to read more about human rights and the UDHR
What are human rights?
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
What does it mean to be a defender of human rights? Can one student defend human rights?
by Pascal (in Ms. Johnson's 7th period class in 2011-2012)