CONCLUSION:
My Critical Question:
What about the Person’s Case makes it historically significant, and how does the teaching of it illustrate the complexity and importance of teaching a social justice perspective?
What really happened?
I think the evidence points to a denial of rights and equality given to these women, and by extension, all Canadian women. It is an important reminder that even the high courts of our country, supposedly the brightest legal minds of the time, can make discriminatory decisions. Yet, the story of the Person Case is about the various networks of people fighting for gender equality throughout the country, facing obstacles, and overcoming them. Though much attention centres on these five women, they were part of an ongoing movement that was historically significant. In fact, the significance of this case derives largely from its context and how it is a culmination of years of battling by these feminists.
Does my conclusion differ?
I think largely, my conclusions do differ quite an extent from that of traditional historians. I believe more traditional historians would have offered this topic the same type of paragraph-attention as seen in Counterpoints. They also would probably not spend time situating this episode within the larger framework of the feminist movement at the time, tying in the various stories and victories many of these activities had already achieved. To give that much time, energy, and voice to this issue would be quite unacceptable to a traditional historian. I also sought to complicate matters by unveiling some of the troubling racial views of these women, which is actually much more in line with recent scholarship on the Famous Five and recent historical scholarship in general.
One final thought: the importance of voice.
We often see social justice as a way to give voice to the voiceless, give voice to those who have had little to no say in our histories.
Do you know where we get the word “person” from?
If one traces it back to its roots, it comes form the Latin word “personare” which means “to sound through” (Online Etymology Dictionary). It refers to an ancient understanding of people/persons in which their voice was an indication of both their individual personality but also their foundational worth of humanity.
Therefore the Persons Case, is really the Voice Case. It is about giving voice to those who have none. It is about allowing people the natural space and right to express their humanity, dignity, and vibrant personalities. That is why a social justice perspective needs to be able to understand and utilize this case. Education has been seen as the never ending conversation about what it means to be human. Everybody should be invited to that conversation.
And to join in, you have to have a voice.
What about the Person’s Case makes it historically significant, and how does the teaching of it illustrate the complexity and importance of teaching a social justice perspective?
What really happened?
I think the evidence points to a denial of rights and equality given to these women, and by extension, all Canadian women. It is an important reminder that even the high courts of our country, supposedly the brightest legal minds of the time, can make discriminatory decisions. Yet, the story of the Person Case is about the various networks of people fighting for gender equality throughout the country, facing obstacles, and overcoming them. Though much attention centres on these five women, they were part of an ongoing movement that was historically significant. In fact, the significance of this case derives largely from its context and how it is a culmination of years of battling by these feminists.
Does my conclusion differ?
I think largely, my conclusions do differ quite an extent from that of traditional historians. I believe more traditional historians would have offered this topic the same type of paragraph-attention as seen in Counterpoints. They also would probably not spend time situating this episode within the larger framework of the feminist movement at the time, tying in the various stories and victories many of these activities had already achieved. To give that much time, energy, and voice to this issue would be quite unacceptable to a traditional historian. I also sought to complicate matters by unveiling some of the troubling racial views of these women, which is actually much more in line with recent scholarship on the Famous Five and recent historical scholarship in general.
One final thought: the importance of voice.
We often see social justice as a way to give voice to the voiceless, give voice to those who have had little to no say in our histories.
Do you know where we get the word “person” from?
If one traces it back to its roots, it comes form the Latin word “personare” which means “to sound through” (Online Etymology Dictionary). It refers to an ancient understanding of people/persons in which their voice was an indication of both their individual personality but also their foundational worth of humanity.
Therefore the Persons Case, is really the Voice Case. It is about giving voice to those who have none. It is about allowing people the natural space and right to express their humanity, dignity, and vibrant personalities. That is why a social justice perspective needs to be able to understand and utilize this case. Education has been seen as the never ending conversation about what it means to be human. Everybody should be invited to that conversation.
And to join in, you have to have a voice.