Juneteenth

Posted by Speakeasy News > Sunday 14 June 2020 > Celebrate

June 19 is marked in Texas and 41 other states as the commemoration of the end of slavery. Another “independence day” that grew spontaneously out of an accidental date, and flourished thanks to former slaves.  On June 19, 1865, news of the end of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas, … Continue reading “Juneteenth”

His Life Mattered

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 03 June 2020 > In the News

Widespread protests have again broken out in the U.S.A. after the death of an African-American man in police custody. George Floyd, 46, was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 25 May on suspicion of passing forged money. During his arrest, a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, despite Mr Floyd protesting … Continue reading “His Life Mattered”

Activist New York

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 25 May 2020 >

This worksheet guides pupils to explore the online version of an exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York.  “Activist New York” looks at the history of protest movements in the city from the 17th Century to today, fights for workers’ rights, civil rights, votes for women or free speech.  The “Political and … Continue reading “Activist New York”

Double Pulitzer for Colson Whitehead

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 06 May 2020 > Shine Bright Lycée What's On

African American novelist Colson Whitehead has joined an exclusive club of only four authors who have won Pulitzer Prizes for literature for two different novels. After 2017’s prize for The Underground Railroad, Whitehead has been awarded the 2020 prize for The Nickel Boys, set in the Civil Rights era and based on the true story … Continue reading “Double Pulitzer for Colson Whitehead”

Feelgood Music

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 06 April 2020 > Ready to Use

Music has great power to inspire us and lift our mood. Which we could all do with  a bit of at the moment. We were trying to think of work to set pupils at home that was positive and good for the soul: what better than a little soul music?  So here is the first … Continue reading “Feelgood Music”

Just Mercy

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 24 February 2020 > Shine Bright Lycée What's On

A new film tells the true story of a battle against endemic racism in the American justice system. It’s based on a memoir by  Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer in Alabama, and tells the story of his firm’s battle to prove the innocence of Walter McMillian, who was condemned to death for a murder he didn’t … Continue reading “Just Mercy”

Alex Taylor on What it Means to Be British

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 06 February 2020 > What's On

What does it mean to be British, French or European? In the light of Brexit, journalist Alex Taylor will discuss this thorny question in a free talk at the British Council on Thursday 5 March. Taylor is proudly bi-national, bi-cultural and multilingual. A convinced European, he has been reporting on Europe, and Britain, in France … Continue reading “Alex Taylor on What it Means to Be British”

Payback for Slavery

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 16 August 2019 > In the News Shine Bright Lycée

Students at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, have voted to pay reparations to the descendants of 272 slaves sold by the Jesuit university in 1838. A long-running campaign by students has identified descendants of the 272, who were sold to plantations in Louisiana. A student referendum voted for each student to pay a small amount … Continue reading “Payback for Slavery”