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What Would You Do?
Although public schools have been desegregated for over
25 years and integration has made the public school system
racially diverse, there are still widespread race relation
problems facing students today.
John is the same race you are. He is the quarterback
of the football team and is very good friend with one
of his teammates named Thomas. Thomas is of another race.
The two often joke with one another at practice and talk
on the bus while traveling to away games. However the
boys never talk to one another during school hours or
spend time together outside of school, because being
friends with persons of another race is socially unacceptable
at Lincoln High School.
One night, John was leaving football practice later
than usual, and Thomas had left about fifteen minutes
earlier. When John walked outside to the parking lot,
he saw three persons of his race, who he frequently socializes
with during and outside of school, beating up Thomas
and yelling racial slurs. John's "friends" saw him in
the parking lot and invited him to join them in the 'fun.'
John has to make a decision quickly.
Questions for Discussion
- What values come into conflict in this story?
- What is peer pressure? Do you experience peer pressure
at school?
- As quarterback of the football team, John's opinions
and actions are respected by the student body of Lincoln
High School. What is his responsibility to Thomas?
What is his responsibility to his other "friends"?
What is his responsibility as a leader of the student
body?
- What actions should John take at the time of the
situation? What long term decision should John make?
What actions should follow this decision?
- Evaluate the following statement:
"People will always
follow a good example: be the one to set a good example.
then it won't be long before others follow...everyone,
great and small, can make their contribution toward
introducing justice straightaway...and you can always,
always give something, even if it is only kindness!"
How
does this quote by Anne Frank relate to John's dilemma?
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