A Self-Evident Truth: Angelina Grimké and Justice

How can the example of Angelina Grimké's actions regarding the injustices of slavery encourage students to fight for justice in their lives?

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• What was Angelina Grimké’s role in the abolition movement? How did her role differ from other anti-slavery advocates about whom you have learned?
• What was Angelina Grimké’s purpose for delivering the testimony to the Massachusetts legislature?
• Why did Grimké believe that speaking against slavery was important?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will evaluate the injustices of slavery in the United States.
• Students will analyze Angelina Grimké’s beliefs about the injustices of slavery and why she believed it should be abolished.
• Students will analyze methods by which they can promote justice in their own lives.
• Students will apply their knowledge of justice to their own lives.