Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
In the past, many people were oppressed in the United States. Throughout US history, many people were subjected to unfair actions. However, groups began standing in solidarity with each other. Many people wanted life to be more equal and fair for everyone. Today, things are better, but people are not always treated equally.
There is still a lot of work to do before all people in the US are truly equal. This is why the Black Lives Matter movement began. People created a peaceful protest against violence toward black people. Recently, some NFL players began to protest by taking a knee, instead of standing, during the national anthem. This peaceful action is their way of saying, “This country does not treat me as equal. Please, change the situation.”
Andy wants to talk about this elephant in the room. Listen as he and Gary share their thoughts in today’s English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Andy_H: We should talk about the elephant in the room… people taking a knee at football games.
Gary: Yeah. Did you watch any NFL this weekend?
Andy_H: I did. And if anybody doesn’t know Colin Kaepernick, who is the starting quarterback for the 49ers… everybody takes the singing of their national anthem seriously…
Gary: Very much!
Andy_H: He took a knee, which is something that has drawn a lot of criticism for disrespecting the national anthem. And he is doing it as a protest in collaboration with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Gary: Yeah, he’s standing in solidarity with people who have been oppressed in our country. And I think what’s really amazing is that it’s actually spread out beyond the NFL. Megan Rapinoe, who plays for the United States Women’s National Team, the soccer team, she also stood up in defense because she, being a gay woman in the United States, has been subjected to lots of the same things that he has also been experiencing.
Andy_H: This has also spread all over. In high school games, they have been doing this.
Gary: I didn’t know that.
Andy_H: Yes! It’s a growing trend, and frankly, I think it’s something that we all need to look at.
Gary: The symbol for me is… it’s his right.
Andy_H: It is his right.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Andy knows that it is difficult to talk about the need for more equality in the US. However, he thinks it’s important. He and Gary are both NFL fans, and they have been watching many NFL players take a knee during the US national anthem. Although there are different opinions about this, Andy and Gary think it’s a good example of people using their US right to protest peacefully.
Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the 49ers football team, began the protest. He wanted to show his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Then, Megan Rapinoe, a famous soccer player, continued the protest. Now, many athletes are joining them. Some of these athletes are famous, but others are teenagers who play high-school sports. All of these people want the US to create a more equal society.
What do you have the right to do in your country? Do you think it is important to protest peacefully?