Pre-Reading Exercise  top

Exercise One
Instructions: Match the vocabulary word on the left with the appropriate definition on the left.

1. stereotype  (a) treating people unjustly because of their age
2. prejudice  (b) unfair treatment in employment, housing and political rights
3. discrimination (c) prejudging a person or a group without sufficient knowledge
4.. scapegoat  (d) believing that your race is superior to others
5. racism (e) an oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without considering individual differences
6. sexism (f) blaming one person for a problem that he/she is not responsible for
7. ageism  (g) treating people unjustly because of their gender.


Exercise Two   top
Instructions: Identify (label) the following statements using the vocabulary above.

1. French-Canadians are better than English-Canadians. ___________________

2. You’re too old to learn a new language. ____________________

3. Men are better at mathematics than women are. ____________________

4. I can’t rent you this apartment because you have children. ____________________

5. All Canadians like to watch hockey and drink beer. __________________

6. With your strong accent you’ll never get the job. _____________________

7. The Canadians are responsible for all the violence in hockey. _______________


Reading/Writing Exercise  top
 
Instructions: Read the following passage and answer the comprehension questions. 

In the summer of 1963 American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. organized a protest against racial discrimination in America. It was during this demonstration that King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, challenging the nation to offer rights and freedom to all its citizens regardless of colour. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.

Martin Luther King Jr.
top

1. Looking in the first paragraph of the text, find a synonym for the word country ________________

2. The statement "[we] will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood" probably means: (a) a family banquet (b) a cultural celebration (c) racial harmony (d) slave negotiations

3. When Martin Luther King Jr. says that: "they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" he is hoping that: (a) all Americans will be the same color (b) prejudice will disappear in America (c) Blacks will be discriminated against based on their character (d) an individual’s character will be less important than his/her colour.

4. What is the discrimination that Martin Luther King Jr. is referring to:
     ___________________________________________________

5. The word oppression in the second paragraph could best be replaced by: (a) depression (b) domination (c) culture (d) justice

6. What is the main message of this text? How does it relate to current Canadian circumstances? In your own words, write a 3 or 4 sentence summary of the passage.

Listening Exercise:   top  

Exercise One 
Instructions: 
- Review the following vocabulary with your instructor: segregation,
   public-speaking, non-violent protest, pastor, prohibited, assassination, boycott
- Now listen to your instructor read a brief biography of Martin Luther King Jr.

Exercise Two   top
Instructions: Answer the following questions True (T) or False (F)

1. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Boston. _________

2. Martin Luther King Jr. had four children. _________

3. Martin Luther King Jr. went to university in India. _________

4. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1964. _________

5. A national holiday honouring Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated in the first month of every year. _________

Now listen to your instructor read the biography of Martin Luther King Jr. again.

Exercise Three   top
Instructions: Put the events in the correct sequence.

(a) King delivers "I Have a Dream" speech

(b) King receives doctoral degree in theology

(c) The United States Congress creates a national holiday honouring Martin Luther King Jr.

(d) Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated

(e) Martin Luther King Jr. was born

(f) Martin Luther King Jr. visits India

(g) Martin Luther King Jr. helps establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

(h) The United States government passes the Civil Rights Act

(i) Martin Luther King Jr. marries Coretta Scott

(j) Martin Luther King Jr. begins to focus on economic inequality in the United States

 

Follow-up Writing Exercise: What’s Your Opinion?   top

Instructions: Answer the following questions using sentence form.

1. Do you think the work of Martin Luther King Jr. has changed North American race relations? If "yes", How? If "no", why not?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________.

2. Why do you think Martin Luther King Jr. was interested in the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________.

3. Have you ever experienced prejudice or discrimination in Canada? If "yes", when? where?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________.


Speaking Exercise: Student Interview  top
Instructions: Interview two classmates and ask them the following questions.

Questions

Student’s Name:

Student’s Name:

Does your native country have a famous civil rights leader? If "yes", what is his/her name and why is he/she famous?

 

 

  

Before you came to Canada, did you have any stereotypes about what a "typical" Canadian was like? Has your initial ‘opinion’ changed? If "yes", why?

    

What can parents do to teach their children about the dangers of discrimination?

    

If Dr. King were to return today do you think he would be saying the same things or do you think his message would be different? If "yes", how and why?

    

Many people believe that race relations depend on strong leadership. What are the qualities that you feel a ‘strong’ leader should have?

    

What are two things that the "average" person can do to eliminate discrimination in our communities?