Allowing Barbara Hall's "human rights" apparatus to insert itself and its mushy Marxist ethos into our public schools, that is (where, trust me, there's already plenty of Marxist mush). Here's a terrifying--yet unintentionally hilarious--suggested "educational" exercise from the OHRC's updated education guide--getting the moppets to partake in their very own kangaroo classroom court:
Activity #7: Using the case studies The case studies in the Students' handouts section can be approached in two ways. The first is a forum discussion of each of the case studies. The second has students role-play at a human rights tribunal hearing. Using both approaches will give students a more complete understanding of how the Code is applied.
Option 1: Forum activity Divide the class into groups of four or five. Give each group a separate case study for discussion and analysis. Have each group read its case study carefully and then discuss the questions that follow. If students have other questions, these should be noted and answered. Each group identifies one person as the representative for the feedback session.
Set up a forum or fishbowl structure by arranging chairs in a circle (one for each representative), plus one for a group discussion facilitator (you or a student). Include one empty chair, where others will sit when they wish to ask questions or challenge statements raised by the reporting students. The rest of the class should sit outside the circle of representatives.
Each representative reports on her or his case study by explaining the scenario and sharing the group's answers to the questions.
To challenge statements and/or raise other questions, a student must sit in the empty chair, make the point and then vacate the chair.
As each group reports its findings, provide input using relevant information from the discussion points included below.
Option 2: Tribunal role play With this activity, students take part in a tribunal scenario for each case study. A tribunal usually consists of one person who decides on the human rights complaint (called an application). A final decision by a tribunal can order a person or company that discriminates to pay for any of that person’s losses and make the company change the way it operates to make sure the discrimination does not continue. A tribunal decision is a legal one and therefore can be appealed to a higher court. For more information about this process, see “The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario” in the appendix.
In groups of seven or eight, students select one of the case studies and prepare arguments for and against the alleged violation. In their groups, they will choose their parts: Applicant(s) – the person who has the complaint and files an application Respondent(s) – the person or organization that the complaint is against and is named in the application Lawyer(s) for the respondent Lawyer(s) for the applicant Witnesses for the applicant and respondent Vice-Chair or Adjudicator (who conducts the Tribunal hearing).
When each group has prepared its case, set up a “hearing room” in your classroom. Everyone should have a role in each case as it is acted out. Encourage everyone to try as many roles as possible...Gee, how about playing the role of the defendant, the poor shlub who, unlike the complainant/member of acknowledged "victim" group, has to pay for his own lawyer, and who, in a grotesque upending of English Common Law, is presumed guilty as charged?
I'm pretty sure no one is going to want to take on that thankless role.
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