Imperialism on Trial: Seminar Reflection
1) What did we do for this project?
“Objection, Your Honor! Speculation!” This is a phrase not typically shouted by an average citizen, let alone a 10th grade student. Nonetheless, many objections were sustained and overruled as each side made their case during our 10th Grade Humanities class’ mock trial. “Objection, Your Honor! Speculation!” For the past few months, we have been learning about imperialism and African colonialism as part of a project called Imperialism on Trial. We began this project by reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Mr. Achebe is Nigerian, and this book is highly regarded across the world as an accurate account of African colonialism from the African perspective. We spent weeks diving into the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo man from the village of Umuofia, who was the protagonist of our story. Through this book, we learned all about Native African language and cultural practices. A large part of the book’s plot was centered around the European missionaries who came to Africa to spread Christianity. We read about the effects of colonialism on these tribes, and followed the story as Okonkwo and his clan underwent many great changes.
After we finished the book, we delved deeper into the motives of European missionaries. We also learned about the events that were rapidly changing the European economy and lifestyle, including the Industrial Revolution. |
This is a photo of me delivering my opening statement for the Plaintiff.
|
After studying Europe, we had an even better understanding of African colonialism and imperialism. We then took our knowledge of both sides, the African people and the British missionaries, and formulated a mock trial. My class was the plaintiff, or prosecution. We were prosecuting the British government for causing the wrongful death of Okonkwo, who committed suicide at the end of the book. The other class was the defense, and they were arguing that Okonkwo was mentally unstable, leading to his suicide. Students from each class played attorneys, witnesses, and jurors. Through this part of the project, we learned about the proceedings of a wrongful death lawsuit and got experience speaking and performing. I really enjoyed this exhibition because I love process-based projects where all our hard work leads up to a final event. It is definitely stressful, but very rewarding.
2) What role did you play in the trial?
During the mock trial, I played the role of a plaintiff attorney. I was responsible for cross-examining one of the Defense witnesses and helping my team build a case that would prove the British government to be guilty. In the end, the jury voted in favor of the Defense. Although my side did not win, I am very proud of my team for the insightful questions that they asked, and their dedication to proving that we were right.
I was also the member of our team who wrote and delivered the opening statement. I am especially proud of this aspect of our trial because I think I delivered the statement well, and I was confident and conversational. This is an excerpt from my second paragraph: “We are gathered here today to hear the story of Okonkwo, a man of great strength and honor. Okonkwo lived in Umuofia and had taken two titles. He was well respected among his clansmen, and often given important jobs to undertake.” The role of the opening statement is to give the audience background information on the case, begin making your argument, and describe how the rest of the trial will go. I felt that my opening statement was successful because it accomplished all these things, and set the stage for my team’s case. Although I only questioned one witness, I think that I contributed a good amount to my team by writing and delivering our opening statement.
3) How did you strengthen your skills during this project?
During this project, I feel that I strengthened my public speaking and leadership skills, both of which I want to continue to work on.
As I discussed above, I am very proud of my opening statement and my delivery. I practiced reading it aloud many times, and I think that this paid off when I read it in front of the court. In the past, I have always read speeches too quickly and in a monotonous way. This time, I think I read at a good pace, looked up at the audience, and used inflection to make my voice more interesting. Reading this statement made me feel confident and comfortable, so it is a milestone for me in public speaking.
I am a natural leader, and also sort of a control freak. I often take the lead in groups, and I volunteer to do things because I have an unreasonable fear that my classmates will not do their work. We had a very short amount of time to prepare our case, so my subconscious soccer mom kicked into overdrive. I wanted our team to win, so I automatically began leading the group and helping them do their work. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, because it’s just what I always do. However, one of my good friends was also in this group. She is a lot more shy than me, but has recently been working on her leadership skills. She asked me to give her this opportunity to be a leader. Honestly, I was very excited for her and I really wanted her to have the opportunity. I tried very hard to step back and let her direct the group. Looking back at the project now, I am not sure how successful I was. Because of the short time frame, I felt even more pressed to direct the group. Every day, I tried to give her a leadership role, but I think my own agenda might have taken over. My friend and I have discussed this, and she knows that I tried. We have both agreed that we will work on our leadership dynamic together in the future.
This experience has been a major point of growth and reflection for me. I am attending a leadership school next semester, so I think I might feel a little pressured to constantly lead my peers right now. I’m not sure where this pressure comes from; I’ve mostly just put it upon myself. Yet this interaction with my friend has taught me about a different aspect of leadership that I never considered: not leading. I am realizing that it might be just as important to know when to step down, as it is to know when to step up.
2) What role did you play in the trial?
During the mock trial, I played the role of a plaintiff attorney. I was responsible for cross-examining one of the Defense witnesses and helping my team build a case that would prove the British government to be guilty. In the end, the jury voted in favor of the Defense. Although my side did not win, I am very proud of my team for the insightful questions that they asked, and their dedication to proving that we were right.
I was also the member of our team who wrote and delivered the opening statement. I am especially proud of this aspect of our trial because I think I delivered the statement well, and I was confident and conversational. This is an excerpt from my second paragraph: “We are gathered here today to hear the story of Okonkwo, a man of great strength and honor. Okonkwo lived in Umuofia and had taken two titles. He was well respected among his clansmen, and often given important jobs to undertake.” The role of the opening statement is to give the audience background information on the case, begin making your argument, and describe how the rest of the trial will go. I felt that my opening statement was successful because it accomplished all these things, and set the stage for my team’s case. Although I only questioned one witness, I think that I contributed a good amount to my team by writing and delivering our opening statement.
3) How did you strengthen your skills during this project?
During this project, I feel that I strengthened my public speaking and leadership skills, both of which I want to continue to work on.
As I discussed above, I am very proud of my opening statement and my delivery. I practiced reading it aloud many times, and I think that this paid off when I read it in front of the court. In the past, I have always read speeches too quickly and in a monotonous way. This time, I think I read at a good pace, looked up at the audience, and used inflection to make my voice more interesting. Reading this statement made me feel confident and comfortable, so it is a milestone for me in public speaking.
I am a natural leader, and also sort of a control freak. I often take the lead in groups, and I volunteer to do things because I have an unreasonable fear that my classmates will not do their work. We had a very short amount of time to prepare our case, so my subconscious soccer mom kicked into overdrive. I wanted our team to win, so I automatically began leading the group and helping them do their work. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, because it’s just what I always do. However, one of my good friends was also in this group. She is a lot more shy than me, but has recently been working on her leadership skills. She asked me to give her this opportunity to be a leader. Honestly, I was very excited for her and I really wanted her to have the opportunity. I tried very hard to step back and let her direct the group. Looking back at the project now, I am not sure how successful I was. Because of the short time frame, I felt even more pressed to direct the group. Every day, I tried to give her a leadership role, but I think my own agenda might have taken over. My friend and I have discussed this, and she knows that I tried. We have both agreed that we will work on our leadership dynamic together in the future.
This experience has been a major point of growth and reflection for me. I am attending a leadership school next semester, so I think I might feel a little pressured to constantly lead my peers right now. I’m not sure where this pressure comes from; I’ve mostly just put it upon myself. Yet this interaction with my friend has taught me about a different aspect of leadership that I never considered: not leading. I am realizing that it might be just as important to know when to step down, as it is to know when to step up.
"This experience has been a major point of growth and reflection for me."
4) What enduring understandings will you take away from this project?
To perform well in the trial, we were required to have a basic grasp of court proceedings. We learned about questioning witnesses, making objections to the other side’s questions, and building a case. Now, I have a much better understanding of one type of court case, a wrongful death lawsuit. To me, “being in court” had always seemed like such a scary, forbidden thing. However, I now have a much better understanding of what actually happens in court and it is very interesting (and not scary). I know that I will take away this new knowledge, and it may help me down the line of a possible career path.
Additionally, I have a new appreciation for the country of Africa. In my previous schooling experience, I have primarily learned about US history. However, this project taught me a lot about African and European history. The way that Africa is portrayed in the media has always made me imagine it as a desolate place where poverty is common. While I’m sure this is true in some cases, this project and Things Fall Apart have shown me that Africa has a rich history and many sophisticated and complex religions, languages, and cultural practices. I know that I will take this new understanding into my future, and I hope to visit Africa someday!
To perform well in the trial, we were required to have a basic grasp of court proceedings. We learned about questioning witnesses, making objections to the other side’s questions, and building a case. Now, I have a much better understanding of one type of court case, a wrongful death lawsuit. To me, “being in court” had always seemed like such a scary, forbidden thing. However, I now have a much better understanding of what actually happens in court and it is very interesting (and not scary). I know that I will take away this new knowledge, and it may help me down the line of a possible career path.
Additionally, I have a new appreciation for the country of Africa. In my previous schooling experience, I have primarily learned about US history. However, this project taught me a lot about African and European history. The way that Africa is portrayed in the media has always made me imagine it as a desolate place where poverty is common. While I’m sure this is true in some cases, this project and Things Fall Apart have shown me that Africa has a rich history and many sophisticated and complex religions, languages, and cultural practices. I know that I will take this new understanding into my future, and I hope to visit Africa someday!