Viola Desmond

When we talk about agents of change, we often think of Americans who are very well known. For example, Rosa Parks often comes to mind when we think of people who have worked for change and justice. However, there are many Canadians who have been inspirational change agents. Viola Desmond was a successful businesswoman who lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She experienced one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian History. She showed the same kind of courage that Rosa Parks did. You can read about her by copying this link into google. http://www.bccns.com/viola.htm Do you see the similarity between her experience and Rosa Park's experience? Why do you think we don't know as much about Viola Desmond as we do about Rosa Parks?

I Have a Dream

I have posted a link to Martin Luther King's famous speech. If you have problems with the video or audio, the speech is also written out. If you only read one part of the speech, read the end (from the line "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.") This is the part where he talks about his dreams.

Here are some of his words from that speech:

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, 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 the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day . . one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.I have a dream today!


How important are dreams to agents of social change? What dreams do you have for society and the world? What can you do to make these dreams come true? Can you realise your dreams (make your dreams come true) alone? Who can help you?

What does Martin Luther King teach us as agents of social change?

Martin Luther King and Barack Obama

Two very important days happen this week. Tomorrow is a historic day in America, the first black president, Barack Obama, will start work. Today marks Martin Luther King day. How are these two events connected to each other and to the idea of a being agents of social change? What can we learn from them that will help us to become more effecctive agents of social change?

Be The Change Program

The Ontario School Library Association has put together a list of lessons that deal with students as agents of positive change. This program is called, Be The Change. Please visit this program at:
http://www.accessola.com/osla/bethechange/home.html
Enjoy!

Mr. Cotton writes:
Thank you Ms. Poulis, it is very exciting to have you involved in this project!

Grade 5s, I have put a link to a great webquest from this website on the links list - it is called 'Be The Change Webquest'. Explore it and write any questions, connections, inferences or information in a comment on this post.

How Can These Ideas Change The Way We Act?

I think that ideas are important. However, I think that ideas are only powerful if they make us act (do something). How can these ideas about equality and standing up for your rights and other peoples rights change what you do? Can you think of an example of something that you or someone you know did that defended someone's rights? (Don't use peoples names.) How could you change your actions in the future?