Session 4_ 5_6_UNIT 2

General Information

• Course: General English I (101253) 2024-2025

• Instructor: Anca Daniela Frumuselu, PhD

Unit Overview: Black Lives Matter (BLM)

Topics Covered

• Readings of speeches and newspaper articles

• Group discussions on key topics: racism, multiculturalism, race, and gender

• Viewing and listening comprehension activities

• Language focus: collocations, idioms, proverbs, phrasal verbs

• Grammar focus: unreal time and subjunctive mood

Edward Colston and BLM

Historical Context

• Edward Colston: 17th-century British slave trader noted for his role in the transatlantic slave trade.

  • The Bronze Statue of Edward Colston in Bristol was toppled during anti-racism protests in June 2020.

  • The act of toppling the statue was a symbolic response to historical injustices and ongoing institutional racism.

Replacement of Statue

• The Colston statue was replaced with a sculpture honoring a Black Lives Matter protester, signifying a shift in societal values.

Roots of BLM

News Coverage

• BBC News report on the protest: Notes vocabulary terms related to protest actions.

  • Pull down: destroy, tear down

  • Topple: collapse, fall down

  • Vandalism: intentional damage to public property

• The effectiveness of protests in raising awareness and advocating for change is examined.

Vocabulary Definitions

• Thuggery: aggressive and violent behavior.

• Counter protest: protest against another protest.

• Disorderly: chaotic behavior.

  ØPull down= destroy, tear down

  ØTopple=collapse, fall down

  ØUrge smo= to advise smo strongly

  ØSubvert=attack, harm a government/a law

  ØThuggery=violent behaviour

  ØFall from grace=lose you position/respect

  ØRevile for=hate or criticize smo

  ØCast (in bronze)=form an object with a mould

  ØTo dog (vb)=to cause problems/embarrass

  ØDocks=harbour

  ØVandalism=destroy/damage deliberately public properties

  ØKick in the face= upset/disturb

  ØCounter protest=opposing protest

  ØFollow up= to do something more to deal with it

  ØDisorderly=behaving in a noisy and violent way

  ØLow-key approach=discrete

  ØDisperse=people separate and go in different directions

  ØMarch= group of people protesting about sth

  ØTackle=deal with

  ØTo mar= to spoil something

  ØTake to the streets=start doing something as a habit

  ØTrigger=make something happen

  ØPolice custody= arrest

  ØCall for efforts=public and formal request

  ØCriminal damage= illegal harm/destruction

  ØAftermath= the effects and results of something bad or important

BLM Movement Significance

Contemporary Impact

• New York Times article: Discusses BLM as potentially the largest social movement in U.S. history, signifying monumental social and political change.

Key Discussion Points

• Comparison of BLM protests to civil rights marches of the 1960s.

• Profile of main participants and their motivations.

• Specific events like Juneteenth and their relevance to protest activity.

Speaking Activity

Role Play Activity

• Groups of 3 to assume different perspectives:

  • BLM Organizer discusses origins and global implications of the movement.

  • BLM Protester shares personal motivations for participation.

  • Local Radio Host prepares questions to educate the audience on the movement's significance.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights Movement

Background Information

• MLK led the American civil rights movement, fighting against racial segregation and discrimination.

• Key historical events include:

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott: launched in 1955 and lasted for 382 days.

  • MLK emerged as a significant leader, famous for his nonviolent approach.

Key Achievements

• Development of significant civil rights legislation, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

• Nobel Peace Prize awarded to MLK in 1964 for his efforts.

Quotes and Impact

"I Have a Dream" Speech

• Delivered on August 28, 1963, to over 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial.

• It called for racial equality and an end to discrimination, marking a defining moment in the civil rights movement.

• MLK's speeches inspired generations, advocating for peace and justice.

Vocabulary Related to the Speech

• Creed: religious beliefs.

• Vicious: extremely violent.

• Discords: disagreements among groups.

Enoch Powell's "Rivers of Blood" Speech

Summary

• Delivered on April 20, 1968, outlining concerns about immigration and its impact on society.

• Received widespread attention, with public support and backlash.

• Powell's views resonate in discussions about current immigration policies.

Vocabulary from the Speech

• Beset: to cause danger or difficulty.

• Vociferously: express ideas loud and forcefully.

• Disgruntled: disappointed and annoyed.

Grammar Focus: Unreal Time and Subjunctive

Conditional Forms

• 2nd Conditional: for hypothetical current situations.

• 3rd Conditional: for hypothetical past situations.

  • Example: "If I had known, I would have acted differently."

Expressions of Wishes

• Using wish and if only for present, past, and future hypotheticals (e.g., "I wish you would stop smoking").

Multiculturalism Discussion

Key Concepts

• Definition of Multiculturalism: coexistence of diverse cultures.

• Benefits of multicultural societies in promoting understanding and tolerance.

• Terms: Assimilate, Integrate, Segregate, Melting Pot, Salad Bowl.

Questions for Reflection

• How do multicultural societies impact tolerance and relationships among different cultures?

• Are children taught adequately about tolerance in multicultural settings?

Conclusion

• Emphasizes the importance of understanding historical contexts, current social movements, and their implications on society today.

• Encourages ongoing discussions about race, identity, and rights in modern contexts.