LLCER : documents + explications + liens

+Thématique 1 : “rencontres”
-Axe : la confrontation à la différence

PROBLÉMATIQUE : Comment la confrontation à la différence peut-elle

influencer l’évolution sociale réelle et fictionnelle ?

-> anglais : "How can confrontation with difference influence real and
fictional social evolution ?"

- DOCUMENT 1 : extract from Chapter 13, of “The Handmaid’s Tale”.

It's Janine, telling about how she was gang-raped at fourteen and had an abortion.
She told the same story last week. She seemed almost proud of it, while she was
telling. It may not even be true. At Testifying, it's safer to make things up than to say
you have nothing to reveal. But since it's Janine, it's probably more or less true. But
whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holding up one plump finger. Her fault, her
fault, her fault, we chant in unison. Who led them on? Aunt Helena beams, pleased
with us. She did. She did. She did. Why did God allow such a terrible thing to
happen? Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Last week,
Janine burst into tears. Aunt Helena made her kneel at the front of the classroom,
hands behind her back, where we could all see her, her red face and dripping nose.
Her hair dull blond, her eyelashes so light they seemed not there, the lost eyelashes
of someone who's been in a fire. Burned eyes. She looked disgusting: weak,
squirmy, blotchy, pink, like a newborn mouse. None of us wanted to look like that,
ever. For a moment, even though we knew what was being done to her, we
despised her. Crybaby. Crybaby. Crybaby. We meant it, which is the bad part. I used
to think well of myself. I didn't then. That was last week. This week Janine doesn't
wait for us to jeer at her. It was my fault, she says. It was my own fault. I led them
on. I deserved the pain. Very good, Janine, says Aunt Lydia. You are an example.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” is a futuristic dystopian novel written by

Canadian author Margaret Atwood and published in 1985. The story
takes place in the near future in New England, in a theocratic,
patriarchal, and totalitarian state known as the Republic of Gilead,
which has overthrown the government of the United States. The novel
follows the character of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead.
Due to dangerously low reproduction rates, Handmaids are assigned to
bear children for elite couples who have conception problems. The
novel explores the themes of guilt, shame, responsibility, rebellion, and
resistance through Offred’s account of her daily life, her flashbacks,
and her interactions with other characters.

- DOCUMENT 2 : “The problem we all live with”, painted by Norman

Rockwell.

“The Problem We All Live With” is an iconic work by American artist

Norman Rockwell. First published in 1964 in the magazine “Look”, this
painting depicts Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African-American girl,
attending a white public school during the period of school
desegregation in New Orleans in 1960.

The painting shows Ruby dressed in a white dress, walking proudly and
alone, with a simple notebook and ruler in hand. She is escorted by four
American marshals, of whom only the bodies are seen, which
accentuates Ruby’s small size and the greatness of her stride. The
wall behind her is stained with thrown tomatoes and adorned with a
racial graffiti, illustrating the hatred and resistance encountered by
African-Americans during the struggle for civil rights.

The issues represented in this painting are numerous. It highlights the

struggle for racial equality, the importance of education, and courage
in the face of adversity. It also underlines the resistance to
desegregation and the role of the American federal government in
enforcing civil rights. Finally, it illustrates the enormous burden that
children like Ruby had to bear in this struggle for equality.
“The Problem We All Live With” remains a powerful symbol of the
struggle for civil rights in the United States and continues to inspire
future generations.

- DOCUMENT 3 : a poster of the movie “Hidden Figures” released by

Theodore Melfi

“Hidden Figures” is set in the historical context of the 1960s in the

United States, in the midst of the Cold War between the Americans and
the Russians. The two superpowers were engaged in a race to be the
first to send a man into space. It was also a period of racial
segregation and sexual discrimination.

The film features three African-American women, Katherine Johnson,

Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who worked at NASA’s Langley
Research Center in Virginia. Despite racial and sexist obstacles, these
women played a crucial role in NASA’s aeronautical and space
programs.

The film illustrates how these women overcame the challenges of

segregation and prejudice to contribute significantly to space
exploration. It also shows how NASA was forced to recognize and value
their contributions due to the pressure of the space race.

- DOCUMENT 4 : extract of the speech “I have a dream” of Martin Luther

King in 1963.

« I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live
out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be
self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons
of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able
to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state
sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and
justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin
but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day, down in
Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his
lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification;
one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls
will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls
as sisters and brothers. »

The speech illustrates how an individual (Martin Luther King Jr. or any
marginalised individual) can influence a group (American society). Mr.
Luther King uses his speech to challenge and call for a change in the
way society treats African Americans. This shows how an individual
can influence real social evolution by mobilising a group towards a
common goal. His speech also highlights the confrontation with
difference in the form of racial discrimination. Mr. Luther King dreams
of a world where skin colour does not determine an individual’s value.
This shows how the recognition and confrontation of these differences
can lead to real social evolution, and indirectly fictional. Mr. Luther
King speaks of fraternal love and friendship, dreaming of a day when
children of all “races” will be able to hold hands like brothers and
sisters. This illustrates how love and friendship can go beyond racial
and social barriers and lead to positive social evolution. Thus, King’s
speech illustrates how the studied axes can influence real and
fictional social evolution. It demonstrates the power of the individual
to influence the group, the importance of confronting and celebrating
difference, and the role of love and friendship in creating a more
equitable and inclusive society.

- DOCUMENT 5 : #BlackLivesMatter

The studied image is a photo of a mural that carries the message

"BLACK LIVES MATTER". It was created by the artist "KARLWENZEL", as
indicated by the signature on the wall. The mural presents a human
face with an open mouth and a raised fist, surrounded by African
motifs and symbols. The background is black, which brings out the
bright colours of orange and red. The message that this mural seeks
to convey is clear: black lives matter. The raised fist is a universal
symbol of resistance and solidarity, often used in protest movements.
The African motifs and symbols can represent the pride of African
heritage and the richness of black culture. The open expression of the
face can symbolise a cry for justice and equality.
It represents a response to racial discrimination and injustice, forms
of confrontation with difference. However, similar murals can be found
in many cities around the world, particularly in areas where the #The
BlackLivesMatter movement is active.
- DOCUMENT 6 : quote from Audre Lorde

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize,
accept, and celebrate those differences.” - Audre Lorde

This quote highlights the importance of recognizing, accepting and

celebrating our differences, rather than letting them divide us. It
highlights the fact that confronting difference is an essential step for
harmonious coexistence, and comes from her essay “Our Dead Behind
Us,” published in 1986.

Introduction :

Hello, this is my personal file. I chose the theme “meetings” and as

my principal axe “confrontation with difference”.
Now, allow me to present my documents :
-> Document 1 is an extract from chapter 13 of “The Handmaid’s Tale”,
written in 2017, by Margaret Atwood.
-> Document 2 is a painting entitled “The problem with all live with”, by
Norman Rockwell, first published in 1964 in the magazine “Look”.
-> Document 3 is a poster of the movie “Hidden Figures” released by
Theodore Melfi in 2016.
-> Document 4 is an extract of the speech “I have a dream” of Martin
Luther King in 1963.
-> Document 5 is a mural with a “Black lives matter” message, signed
by VBALLENTINE99, made in 2020.
-> Document 6 is a quote from Audre Lorde from her essay “Our dead
behind us” in 1986.
We can ask ourselves the following question : How can confrontation
with difference influence real and fictional social evolution ?"
plan :
=> Understanding the issue of the confrontation with difference
I) Influence of confrontation with difference on real social evolution
a) Historical and contemporary case studies
b) Consequences of confronting difference on policies and laws
c) Importance of dialogue and open-mindedness in managing
confrontation with difference.

II) Influence of confrontation with difference on fictitious social

evolution.
a) Analysis of the representation of the confrontation with difference
in literature, cinema, etc.
b) Approaches to promoting equality and inclusion
c) Role of fiction in shaping social perceptions and attitudes

I) Influence of confrontation with difference on real social evolution.

A) The confrontation with difference has played a crucial role in real
social evolution, as historical and contemporary case studies show.
“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King: This speech, delivered in 1963,
has become a symbol of the fight for equal civil rights in the United
States. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasised the need to end racial
segregation and achieve equality for all, regardless of the colour of
their skin. This speech had a profound impact on American society and
helped catalyse the civil rights movement.
#BlackLivesMatter This contemporary movement highlights systemic
racism and police violence against Black people. It began in 2013 after
the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer and has since brought
international attention to racial injustices. The movement led to
large-scale protests and influenced public discourse on race and
equality.

B) Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” speech: This speech, delivered

on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom, has become a symbol of the fight for equal civil rights in the
UNITED STATES. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasised the need to end
racial segregation and achieve equality for all, regardless of the
colour of their skin12. This speech had a profound impact on American
society and helped catalyse the civil rights movement.
As a result, two major laws were promulgated:
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964: This law is a civil rights and labour law in
the United States that prohibits discrimination based on race, colour,
religion, sex and national origin. It prohibits unequal enforcement of
voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and
public places, and discrimination in employment. The Civil Rights Act of
1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965: This law is one of the most important
laws of the United States Congress, prohibiting racial discrimination in
the exercise of the right to vote. The text was adopted on August 4,
1965 and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson the following August 6.
These two laws marked a turning point in the history of civil rights in
the United States and had a significant impact on the country's
policies and laws.
The #BlackLivesMatter movement born in 2013 in the United States,
this decentralised political and social movement seeks to highlight the
racism, discrimination and racial inequality experienced by black
people, and to promote anti-racism. Its primary concerns are incidents
of police brutality and racially motivated violence against black people.
It began following the murders of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric
Garner and others.
In response to these concerns, the #BlackLivesMatter movement has
led to calls for police reform and changes in criminal justice policies.
For example, some cities have begun to reevaluate their police budgets.
These reassessments have often led to reduced police budgets and
increased investment in community services. These policy changes aim
to reduce police violence and improve relations between police and the
communities they serve.
Additionally, the movement also influenced criminal justice policies. For
example, reforms have been implemented to reduce mass
incarceration, expand voting rights, and advance racial justice. These
reforms aim to create a fairer and more inclusive justice system.

C) Audre Lorde's quote highlights the importance of recognizing and

celebrating diversity for equality and inclusion. Lorde, an
African-American poet, writer and activist, criticised second-wave
white feminists who represented women as an undifferentiated bloc,
shocking them with her declaration that racism, classism, sexism and
homophobia were linked. by a collective failure to recognize and
tolerate difference.
Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech is another powerful
example of confronting difference. In this speech, King expressed his
dream of an America where all were judged by their character and not
the colour of their skin. He stressed the importance of recognizing and
accepting differences to achieve this dream.
Confronting differences can be difficult, but it forces us to question
our prejudices and stereotypes, broaden our understanding of the
world, our tolerance and develop empathy for those who are different
from us. It pushes us to look for ways to promote equality and
inclusion, whether through public policies, community initiatives or
individual actions.
Ultimately, confronting differences reminds us that, despite our
differences, we all share a humanity. By recognizing, accepting and
celebrating our differences, we can work together to create a fairer
and more inclusive society.

II) Influence of confrontation with difference on fictitious social

evolution.
A) Difference, whether it be cultural, social, racial, sexual, religious, or
other, can be a source of conflict, but also of learning opportunities
and growth. Fictional works, like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Hidden
Figures,” can help raise awareness of these issues, stimulate dialogue
and promote empathy and understanding
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel that
explores themes of women’s oppression and the various means by
which they gain agency. It is set in near-future New England, in a
patriarchal totalitarian theocratic state known as the Republic of
Gilead, which has overthrown the United States government. By
creating a fictional world where difference is pushed to the extreme,
Atwood forces us to think about how we treat difference in our own
world.
The film “Hidden Figures'' tells the story of three African-American
female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the space race.
The film highlights the challenges these women faced because of their
skin colour and gender, and how they overcome these obstacles to
contribute significantly to one of the greatest achievements in human
history. UNITED STATES. By showcasing these stories, the film helps
promote equality.
These two works show how fiction can be used to explore and
challenge our own behaviour towards the notion of difference. They
illustrate how the confrontation with difference can be represented
and understood through fiction, and how these representations can
influence our perceptions and attitudes in reality.

B) The film “Hidden Figures” and the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale”
poignantly illustrate the confrontation with difference and highlight
the importance of promoting equality and inclusion. These works
highlight several approaches to achieving these goals.
In “Hidden Figures,” education plays a crucial role in empowering the
protagonists. Their knowledge of mathematics and engineering allows
them to overcome racial and gender barriers and contribute
meaningfully to NASA. Likewise, “The Handmaid’s Tale” highlights the
importance of education by showing how lack of access to information
and education contributes to the oppression of women.
Laws and policies can play a crucial role in promoting equality and
inclusion. In “Hidden Figures,” civil rights laws helped dismantle racial
segregation and open up opportunities for African Americans. In “The
Handmaid’s Tale,” the lack of legal protections for women highlights
the importance of laws in protecting the rights of individuals.
These approaches, when implemented effectively, can help promote
equality and inclusion, by recognizing, accepting and celebrating
differences. Ultimately, “Hidden Figures” and “The Handmaid’s Tale”
remind us that confronting difference is not only inevitable, but also
necessary for social progress and equality.
C) Fiction plays a crucial role in shaping social perceptions and
attitudes towards difference. Fictional works, like “The Handmaid’s
Tale” and “Hidden Figures,” can help raise awareness of these issues,
stimulate dialogue and promote empathy and understanding.
“The Handmaid's Tale” by Margaret Atwood: This dystopian novel
explores themes of women, their role in society. It is set in near future
New England, in a patriarchal totalitarian theocratic state known as
the Republic of Gilead , which overthrew the government of the United
States. By creating a fictional world where difference is exacerbated
to the extreme, Mr. Atwood forces us to think about how we deal with
difference in our own world.
The film “Hidden Figures”: This film tells the story of three
African-American female mathematicians who worked at NASA during
the space race. They then overcome these obstacles to contribute
significantly to one of the greatest accomplishments in American
history. By presenting these stories, the film helps shape social
perceptions of difference and promote equality.
These two works show how fiction can be used to explore and
challenge our own attitudes towards difference. They illustrate how
confronting difference can be represented and understood through
the lens of fiction, and how these representations can influence our
perceptions and attitudes in reality.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, the confrontation with difference is a universal and

timeless phenomenon, which has consequences on social evolution,
both in reality and in fiction.Thus, the confrontation with difference is
a driving force for social evolution, which involves challenges,
opportunities, tensions, exchanges, transformations. Faced with an
increasingly complex and interconnected world, confronting difference
is a major challenge, which calls for developing skills and values ​such
as respect, curiosity, creativity, dialogue, tolerance.