Right now, we're watching Gandhi. If you haven't seen it, it's quite good. It won best picture in 1982. (Incidentally, a lot of good things came out that year: E.T., Rocky III, Halloween III, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Poltergeist, Tron, Annie, ...Me...)
As we close out Black History Month, I thought it might be nice to highlight some of the similarities between Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. (We don't do this in class, so my students may not be familiar with it. I just thought it might be a good addition...)
- Both Civil Rights Leaders
- Both believed in and practiced civil disobedience
- Both were practitioners of non-violence
- Both are seen as the key leaders of movements that were much, MUCH larger
- Both exemplify one side of a a movement that had many sides
- (See Martin Luther King vs Malcolm X, Or Booker Washington vs W.E.B. DuBois)
- (See Gandhi vs any of the not so non-violent movements for Indian independence)
- Both spent substantial amounts of time in prison
- Both were gifted public speakers
- Both were also known for their religions
- Both have made significant literary contributions
- And of course, both were assassinated
While they both had their differences as well, it is interesting to see what all they had in common. If you can think of anything else, feel free to write it in the comments.
Students in my class may get extra credit if they read and discuss the blog with an adult. Students, please give the adult a summary of what's happened in the movie so far.
Then, write a 3-5 sentence summary on a scrap of note paper. Have the adult you read the blog with sign the paper. Turn it in on Monday in the extra credit tray. Make sure that your name, date, and hour are on the paper.
No comments:
Post a Comment