Justice and the Citizen:
From the Indian Reservation to the Inner City, The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Student Handout

BACKGROUND

Achievement Television dedicates this program in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His civil rights work underlined the meaning of "...and liberty and justice for all." This phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance establishes a standard difficult to achieven such a culturally diverse society as contemporary America. In our day to day lives, not all American residents receive equal respect and treatment. But we need to remember the United States is, and always has been, a complex, vigorous, multi-cultural society.

The objective of this program is to compare and contrast the social condition and the status of justice in the inner city with that of the Indian reservation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs serves more than 500 Indian or Alaskan Native Tribal Groups, while hundreds of inner cities are found nationwide. What can be done to spread Dr. King's message of individual responsibility and justice to all Americans?

OBSERVATION AND INFERENCE

INTRODUCTION: Breaking through our own stereotypes is difficult. We often see what we want or expect to see.

PROJECT FOCUS QUESTION: How are minorities portrayed by the media?

COLLECTION OF DATA: Collect magazine advertisements that have images of people of minority. (An alternative would be to videotape television commercials.)

ANALYSIS: First review the images without drawing any conclusions. Simply observe and describe the content. What are the people doing? Wearing? What is the setting? How do the images compare with the real world? Finally, draw conclusions or inferences about what these advertisements are saying about the people. Are they stereotypes or authentic portrayals of a human being? How do you know? What is the basis for your conclusion? Are you working from your own stereotype or from an understanding of that culture? How can we set aside our own cultural biases to reach for an empathetic understanding of someone else?

REPORT: Put your findings in a presentation for the class. If possible, summarize your data in a chart.

EXTENSION: Design a media image which uses cultural artifacts from a minority culture authentically. That is, create an image that compliments and does not demean.

WEB GUIDE

There are many fine web sites relating to Native American studies. Try these for starters:

• INDEX OF NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET
• NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
• NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS' PAGE
• NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES

CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN and AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS

Use your library reference tools to match the contemporary Native American or African American author to the title of his/her book. Select one and present a brief review for your class.

AUTHORS

• N. Scott Momaday
  
• Maya Angelou
  
• James Welch
  
• William Least Heat-Moon
  
• Louise Erdrich
  
• Ernest Gaines
  
• Toni Morrison
  
• August Wilson

BOOKS

• Fools Crow
• Blue Highways: A Journey Into America
• Beet Queen; Love Medicine
• Song of Solomon, Tar Baby, Beloved
• The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, A Lesson Before Dying
• House Made of Dawn
• The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
• I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

(Answers at end of curriculum)

WORDS WILL NEVER HURT ME

The words listed below carry hot political connotations. Analyze them from a variety of perspectives. Ask the question "Why would someone object to the use of this word?" What solutions or strategies can be found for using language in a manner that does not demean other human beings?

• Affirmative Action
• Bicultural
• Dissent
• Diversity
• Equal
• Ethnic
• Minority
• Otherness
• Pluralism
• Quotas
• Racism
• Stereotype
• Tradition
• Values

EXTENSION: The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is not true. Words used within the halls of a school can frequently be the source of pain and conflict. What strategies can you and your friends devise to cope with verbal attacks?

QUESTIONS FOR THE PROGRAM GUESTS

Think of several questions to ask the guests during the program. Write them below. (Possible questions: To what extent should an individual be bound by his/her cultural traditions without encouraging separatism? How can American democracy survive in a pluralistic society?)

1.
2.
3.

CAREER CORNER - School to Work Transition

All careers are deeply affected by civil rights issues, but some offer unique opportunities for their advancement. Here are some examples. Pick one that interests you and explore it as a career possibility. What does the person do on a daily basis? What educational background and work experience is necessary? Where is the work done? What are the rewards? How could this life's work impact civil rights? You may be surprised by what you find!

• Artist
• Community Leader
• Congressional Aide
• Diplomat
• Economist
• Human Rights Activist
• Journalist
• Lawyer
• Museum Curator
• Philosopher
• Political Analyst
• Politician
• Researcher
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Theologian

MATCHING ANSWERS: 1-F, 2-H, 3-A, 4-B, 5-C, 6-E, 7-D, 8-G.