Activities will help students see how artists can use cartoons to express their opinions about society and culture.
This is the fifth lesson in the series "Using Editorial Cartoons to Teach Social Justice [1]."
Introduction
Artists often use an editorial cartoon as a means to show their opinion about something in our society. Just as columnists or op-ed writers use words to express their opinions about a wide array of topics, artists use pictures to make statements.
Editorial Cartoon
Examine the cartoon below.
Artist: Peray, Thailand. Reprinted with Permission. Teachers may purchase individual cartoons for other lesson plans at PoliticalCartoons.com [2]
Look at the top of each character. What is similar about the design on each character’s head? What is different?
What is the angry character “saying” to the crying one?
What is the artist’s message?
How do you think this artist feels about intolerance?
Activities
1. Form small groups. Tolerance can be defined as “an understanding of the beliefs and practices of others, even if they are different from yours.” In your groups, come up with your own definitions of tolerance and intolerance.
2. Discuss the following questions in your group:
A) What does intolerance do to people?
B) What are some examples of intolerance?
C) What does it mean to be a tolerant person?
3. Create a poster in the same style as the editorial cartoon above that promotes tolerance. Try to rely solely on images and symbols (without text). Be sure that your poster truly sends people a message about how your group thinks about intolerance.
4. With permission from your teachers and school administrators, hang your posters up around your school to help promote the idea of tolerance.
Links:
[1] http://www.tolerance.org/activity/using-editorial-cartoons-teach-social-justice
[2] http://www.politicalcartoons.com