Ms. Wall
Slide 1 Introduction: I-Search
“Why is this topic important or interesting to me?
 Think about how the topic you have randomly selected is important to you. How can you
connect lessons of our country’s past to lessons you can learn in your present?
 Find three quotations that are of the most interest to you and write a two sentence
explanation of why you find these passages important.
 Quotation 1: ”I realize that you all know all about it and that it is why it does not worry
me or discourage me therefore, it is necessary for you all not to fee discouragged anaway I
am innocent of this mess and I will die with that word regardless to what may come or
happen. I am innocent and I will always say I am innocient so you all need not worry as I
dont worry” (Linder).
 Personal Connection: I am personally connected to this quotation from Hayward
Patterson because I feel empathy that he felt so trapped and was so worried his family
would not know the truth. My family is very important to me as well and I would not
want them to think I did something I had not done.
Slide 2 Body Paragraph 1: Why was this topic an
important part of history?
 Think about why this topic is important to America’s history. What important or
interesting facts are necessary to learn in order to fully grasp the topic?
 Generate three questions that are important to answer in regards to your topic, answer
them with direct quotations, then provide a one sentence explanation of the quote.
 Question 1: When and where did this event take place?
 Quotation 1: “March 25, 1931 Posse stops Southern Railroad train in Paint Rock,
Alabama. Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assault. Rape charges are added
against all nine boys after accusations are made by Victoria Price and Ruby Bates”
(Linder).
 Explanation 1: This quotation is important because it establishes the basis of the trial.
Slide 3 Body Paragraph 2: How is this topic relevant in
today’s society?
 Think about how this topic is important in American culture today. What important or
interesting facts are necessary to learn in order to fully grasp the topic?
 Generate three questions that are important to answer in regards to your topic, answer
them with direct quotations, then provide a one sentence explanation of the quote.
 Question 1: Has the American court system completely eliminated racial bias?
 Quotation 1: “In many ways , the United States has made significant progress over the
last half century toward the objective of ensuring equal treatment under law for all
citizens. But in one critical arena-criminal justice-racial inequality is growing not
receding” (Weich).
 Explanation 1: This quotation is important because it explains that although change has
occurred there are still problems we need to fix in our court systems.
Slide 4 Body Paragraph 3: What similarities and differences can
I generate between this topic then and now?
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Think about how this topic has evolved over the decades. Generate a list below connecting this topic
‘then’ and ‘now.’
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Then: Scottsboro Trials
1. 9 black men and boys were accused of rape based solely on the color of their skin.
2. Forensic evidence though primitive at the time was used and although it proved the boys innocent
it did not convince the jury.
3. Juries of this time consisted of all white males.
4. At this time in history a white woman’s word was enough to convict a black male of a crime he did
not commit.
5. Most of the men and boys were not acquitted or released until real change had occurred in the
American court system.
Now: Court Systems
1. Black American citizens are still experiencing racial disparities in the court system but not to the
level experienced by the Scottsboro Boys.
2. Advances in forensic evidence including DNA have alter the justice system and even freed innocent
men and women.
3. Juries today include all races, genders, and nationalities.
4. Today clear evidence including forensic evidence is utilized and not one person’s word can convict
someone.
5. Change is still necessary in the American justice system in regards to race, sex, and nationality.
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Slide 5 Concluding Paragraph: Now it is time to reflect on
your topic.
 1. What did you see as most valuable?
 2. With whom should you share this information?
 3. What more would you like to know?
 4. What quotation from your research did you find
most interesting and why?
Works Cited
 Linder, Douglas. “ ‘The Scottsboro Boy’ Trials.”
Famous American Trials. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.
 Weich, Ronald. “Racial Disparities in the American
Criminal Justice System.” Criminal Justice. Web.
07 Mar. 2013.