A Mock Trial Role Play

“Justice is what love looks like in public.”
-Dr Cornel West

This week in Humanities, there was much excitement in the air for our anticipated mock trial role play. Columbus, his men, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, the Taino themselves, and the System of Empire were all put on trial in order to determine:
Who is responsible for the genocide of the Taino? 

After the trial, we debriefed with a Justice barometer. Members of 703 stand next to the “Yes and No” sign in order to share their responses to the question: Do you feel justice was served today in our trial?

1.Defendants from the King and Queen group argue their case in the court.

2.Members of the jury in 702 give their verdict.

3.Katie, a witness from 702 swears to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” so help her “Howard Zinn.

4.Rowan, a witness from the System of Empire, looks nervous as she answers questions on the witness stand.