Module 5 Synchronous Activity Sheet
Group1
(group members present: Jenisey, Jane)
1.
Divide into your groups and skim two passages from the Frederick Douglas speech on the Dred Scott
decision which you already read in Module 4. (the speech is in the Module 4 folder). The first passage to skim is the one in which Douglass summarizes Chief Justice Taney’s argument from his Dred Scott
decision (the passage is highlighted in yellow, it is located about ¾ of the way to the end of the speech, and begins with the words “Justice Taney lays down…”). The second passage is Douglass’s response to Taney, it is highlighted in yellow and is located near the very end of the speech, and begins with the words “It may be said that…”)
2.
Assign one of the group members to write down the groups answers to the questions on
this Activity Sheet, and to post the group’s Activity Sheet (containing the group’s answers) to the Module Five Activity Sheet Assignment in the Module Five folder. (the group member responsible for recording the group’s answers and submitting the activity
sheet should be rotated). Also be sure to write your group’s number at the top of the sheet in the blank provided.
3.
According to Frederick Douglass, what is Justice Taney’s position
regarding whether or not the founding fathers were hypocrites?
Answer: Frederick Douglass didn't agree with Chief Justice Taney's view on who gets the rights of
citizenship according to the constitution. Douglass thought Taney misunderstood the founding principles and accused him of being unfair by denying basic rights to African Americans just because of their race. According to Douglass, the founding fathers were hypocritical because, even though they talked about freedom and justice in the constitution, they denied these rights to African Americans. Douglass strongly believed that African American rights shouldn't depend on judicial decisions but should be seen as part of a broader idea of basic human rights and equality.
4.
In your experience, do you think most politicians and other public figures act hypocritically at least some of the time? Answer
:
As we discussed in class it is safety to say that we all at some point in life act hypocritically, each for our own reasons or benefits. With that being said I do believe that most politicians and other public figures act hypocritically most of the time. In my opinion, is because they want to be liked/supported and promising things that they know they might not be able to grant is sometimes easier for them.
