Craig M. Divis2011-2012 Distinguished Fulbright Teacher – South Africa

• Nelson Mandela:

–“one of the outstanding

human victories of [the 20th] century.”

Why focus on the anti-apartheid movement?

Why focus on the anti-apartheid movement?

• Connie Field, producer/director of the documentary Have You Heard From Johannesburg?:

– “the most globalized human rights

campaign there was”– “historically [it] was

the most successful liberation movement to engage the rest of

the world”

Why focus on the anti-apartheid movement?• Teaching how to create change

↓ empowers learners

↓teaches critical-thinking skills

• Stressing resistance over oppression↓

more positive, forward-looking approach

Why focus on the anti-apartheid movement?

• In South Africa…–the importance and diversity of the anti-

apartheid movement is often overlooked –All South Africans were active in the

Struggle• A way for all South Africans to be proud of the

part they played in bringing about democracy–View democracy differently –Learners understand how they can create

change

Why focus on the anti-apartheid movement?

• In World History…–Global human rights campaign –Similar strategies and tactics that have

been used throughout history–Connected to broader events around

the world• the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the Cold

War, etc.

How to teach it creatively?• 1) Focus on the resistance and dissent– who resisted and how they resisted

Yusuf Dadoo

Imam Abdullah Haron

Charlotte Maxeke

Ruth First Joe Slovo

Beyers Naudé

How to teach it creatively?• 2) Connect it to other events in world history

and to current events– Historical Events: • French Revolution• Gandhi and India’s independence• U.S. Civil Rights Movement

– Current Events: • Arab Spring• Palestinian resistance• South African miners’ strikes

How to teach it creatively?• 3) Integrate multimedia– ex. Pictures, political cartoons, music, audio and

video clips, etc.– More exciting and engaging– Leads to deeper levels of understanding– Can reach students from various learning abilities– Builds skills: • Analyzing and interpreting • Critical thinking

How to teach it creatively?• 4) Explore different methodologies – Use music

• ex. Give each student a set of lyrics from different protest songs

– Use visuals• ex. Provide a picture to each student that represents a

specific type of protest or resistance• Students then have to try to convince the class why theirs

makes the most sense– Provide students with “How Would You Resist?” cards

and have them act as that person• Have them exchange card with other students to look at

different perspectives

• Letta Mbulu “Carry On” (1974)

• There's a man by my side walkingThere's a voice within me talkingThere's a word that needs sayingCarry on, carry on

• They will tell their lying storiessend their dogs to bite our bodiesthey will lock us in their prisonscarry on , carry on

• All their dogs will lie their rottingall their lies will be forgottenall their prison walls will crumblecarry on, carry on

“How Would You Resist?” cards

How to teach it creatively?• 5) Activities and assignments should focus

on skills– Put students in the role of decision-maker– Focus on creativity, writing and technology skills• ex. Use programs like Microsoft Publisher,

Windows Movie Maker, Prezi, and Google Sketch-up• ex. Speech, advertisement, persuasive essay,

obituary, recipe, editorial, interview, business letter, song lyrics, etc.

– ex. Write and give a speech as if you were Steve Biko, Helen Suzman, or Bram Fischer

– ex. “What would you do?” assignments• Would you participate in the Defiance Campaign?• How would you continue to resist after Sharpeville?

– ex. Create a music video as if you were Mzwakhe Mbuli or Johannes Kerkerroel, or write your own protest song

– ex. Create a Public Service Announcement encouraging people to join the Alexandra Bus Boycott

– ex. Debate the turn to the armed struggle or whether sanctions would help or harm the Struggle

– ex. Build your own wing of a museum focusing on different types of resistance used

How to teach it creatively?

How to teach it creatively?• 6) Ask the right questions

– Open-ended– Encourage critical thinking– Lead to discussion– ex. Is one form of resistance more effective than another?– What risks do people take when they resist?– Why is music an ideal vehicle for social criticism and political

protest?– How can a book or newspaper influence reform and change as much as acts of sabotage or boycotts?– Does a religious leader have a responsibility to speak out and

act in times of social and political injustice?– What are the pros and cons of supporting a cultural or consumer boycott? – What power do workers have in a country?– What is the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist?

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• E-mail: diviscm@hotmail.com• Blog: http://mrdivis.wordpress.com/

• Fulbright info:– http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/