Teachers:
Wesley Davidson, Samantha Fountain
Summary:
In America, opportunity is valued but not always accessible. Privileges, both visible and invisible, create gaps in our society that are difficult for many to overcome. In this project, each class chose a "gap" in modern American society and engaged in an exploration (through relevant readings, visuals, and the experiences of those on both sides of the gap) of obstacles to access and opportunity. From the beginning, students determined a purpose built around what they would want their intended audience to take away from spoken word poetry, discussion panels, and interactive forums on their issues. These individual pieces were then brought together in a symposium event on exhibition night in which students were able to share their learning and to also learn from audiences who engaged in continuing civil discourse about these social issues.
Focus Issues:
1st Period: Wealth Inequality in America
Wesley Davidson, Samantha Fountain
Summary:
In America, opportunity is valued but not always accessible. Privileges, both visible and invisible, create gaps in our society that are difficult for many to overcome. In this project, each class chose a "gap" in modern American society and engaged in an exploration (through relevant readings, visuals, and the experiences of those on both sides of the gap) of obstacles to access and opportunity. From the beginning, students determined a purpose built around what they would want their intended audience to take away from spoken word poetry, discussion panels, and interactive forums on their issues. These individual pieces were then brought together in a symposium event on exhibition night in which students were able to share their learning and to also learn from audiences who engaged in continuing civil discourse about these social issues.
Focus Issues:
1st Period: Wealth Inequality in America
- The divide between the "haves" and "have-nots" continues to grow, impacting communities in a variety of ways: from gentrification eliminating small businesses and stripping away local culture to unequal access to quality education to housing and job concerns. What are the root causes of this divide, and how can we bridge this economic gap?
- Does American society take sexual assault allegations and victims seriously enough? In a criminal justice system that claims people are innocent until proven guilty, why does victim-blaming seem to permeate the conversation about sexual assault in the media? Why also do the accused often receive only a slap on the wrist when found guilty? What changes can we implement to shift this mindset?
- Mass incarceration of black males is a statistical phenomenon that has led many to question whether our criminal justice system equates to a form of modern day Jim Crow laws and whether the true intent of prison is to reform or simply to house and control criminals. What should our prison system look like, and who should it serve?
- How does the media - the news and popular entertainment - choose to portray people based on their racial identities? Looking at news coverage of shootings and how differently white shooters are portrayed compared to black shooters, it raises questions about what other inequalities in our country allow these stereotypes to run rampant. How are people of color portrayed in news and popular entertainment, and how can we alter that landscape?