Exploring Civil Liberties in Times of Crisis
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As the Coronavirus pandemic continues and states and municipalities begin to explore lifting some of their restrictions on businesses and public spaces, public protests have erupted in some parts of the country among people who believe the restrictions are violations of their civil liberties.
We tackled the subject directly in last week's eLesson ([link removed]) and in our new Think the Vote debate prompt ([link removed]) , but we thought this week's newsletter was a good opportunity to examine some of the other moments of crisis in our history when civil liberties may have been threatened or violated – from the Alien and Sedition Acts ([link removed]) in the early days of the nation to 9/11 and the "War on Terror." ([link removed]) What are the similarities and differences to the present crisis, and what lessons can we learn from these events?
BRI Lessons & Resources
Were the Alien and Sedition Acts Constitutional?
After reading the Early Challenges in the Constitutional Republic essay from Documents of Freedom ([link removed]) , students are asked to evaluate two of the Alien and Sedition Acts in light of the First Amendment...Read More. ([link removed])
War and Constitutional Separation of Powers
In this activity, ([link removed]) students work in pairs, small groups, or as a large group to read Handout A: Lincoln and Habeas Corpus in the Civil War ([link removed]) , including passages from the U.S. Constitution and memoranda from President Abraham Lincoln...Read More. ([link removed])
What is Due Process?
In this lesson ([link removed]) , students will evaluate contradictory viewpoints concerning liberty and security. They will evaluate Supreme Court decisions regarding fair trail, due process, and the war on terror and evaluate whether the Constitution takes on different meanings during wartime..Read More. ([link removed])
Who Was Fred Korematsu?
In this lesson ([link removed]) , students will learn about how Fred Korematsu decided to sacrifice himself to fight against Japanese-American internment during World War II...Read More. ([link removed])
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This Homework Help video explores the Supreme Court case of Schenk v. United States. Charles Schenck, an anti-war socialist, was arrested by the Federal Government during World War I for circulating a pamphlet encouraging men to resist the draft and violating the Espionage Act of 1917. The Supreme Court ruled that wartime circumstances changed the rules related to free speech and resulted in the “Clear and Present Danger” rule. Learn more about the case with this lesson ([link removed]) .
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BRI News and Other Opportunities
New Podcast Episode: 1960's Songs for a Generation
Mary, Gary, and Eryn ** wrap up the first season of our podcast series ([link removed])
by time traveling to the psychedelic 60s to break down the ways that music and protest were intertwined during the period and discuss the broader question of how calls for social change are expressed in society.
Join the Debate: Do Public Health Policies Supersede Civil Liberties?
Please encourage your students to join in the latest debate on Think the Vote. The current topic: ** Do public health policies supersede civil liberties? ([link removed])
The students who make the strongest case for their position and their referring teachers win a gift card, swag, and a chance at a $1000 scholarship.
Deadline for #BRIThankaTeacher Contest is May 2
It's not too late to share some of the amazing and inspiring ways your fellow teachers are helping their students through the pandemic. In a social media post or video, share with us the best stories of how an educator/educators you know are helping their students learn and thrive in these unprecedented times. ** Visit the website for details. ([link removed])
** ([link removed])
Meet Kirk Higgins!
Kirk Higgins has seen a lot of exciting change in his five-plus years at BRI, a lot of which he has spearheaded himself. The Indiana native and Bill of Rights Institute Senior Education Manager's most recent project is the largest by far, the first-of-its-kind open educational resource for high school U.S. History – ** Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness ([link removed])
. Kirk – along with education team members Mary, Tony, Mallory, and nearly 100 scholar-contributors from across the nation – are putting the final touches on the project which is set to launch in early July** .. ([link removed])
** .Read the rest of Kirk’s bio here ([link removed])
.
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BoE: Bottom of Email
Dear John,
Over the past several weeks, we have watched this terrible crisis play out, seeing and feeling both the tragedy of loss and the remarkable fortitude of the human spirit. Last week, Rachel Davison Humphries and I ** sat down with educators from across the country, and our conversation was truly inspiring ([link removed])
.
We are now entering a new phase of the crisis. As we do, I am reminded of Winston Churchill’s words from November 10, 1942, when, after the battle of El Alamein in North Africa, he stated, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end, but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
This next phase will bring more challenges as our society considers the path forward. This public deliberation is a civic moment that serves as an opportunity for us to model thoughtful engagement in our neighborhoods and for our students as we all weigh the balance between our civil liberties and the safety and security of our communities.
BRI is working to facilitate this through our ** eLessons ([link removed])
, ** Homework Help videos ([link removed])
, and our ** new comprehensive U.S. history resource Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness ([link removed])
. This resource pulls together essays from over 90 scholars, putting students at the heart of historical debates and helping them develop the skills and historical context helping them to engage in contemporary debates.
BRI is here to support your work in this new phase. We are sincerely grateful for you and the work you do in both teaching and supporting students. Together, as a community, we will accomplish amazing things.
Stay strong, be well, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
Kirk Higgins
Senior Manager, Education
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