1.

5  Culture  Spotlight:  Equality  of  Opportunity  and  OERs  

Directions:  Read  the  introduction  to  the  cultural  value  of  equality  of  opportunity,  and  how  it  
connects  to  open  education  resources  (OERs).  On  the  next  page  you  will  complete  a  model  OER  
activity  on  equality  of  opportunity.  
Words  to  know  

the  right  of  different  groups  of  people  to  have  a  similar  social  position  and  
Equality  
receive  the  same  treatment  (CEFR)  

Equity      equality  and  fairness  in  relationships  (Wikipedia)  

Among   in  the  middle  of  something  (CEFR)  

Equal   the  same  in  importance  and  deserving  the  same  treatment  CEFR)  

Liberty   the  freedom  to  live  as  you  wish  or  go  where  you  want  (CEFR)  

Clash   to  fight  or  argue  (CEFR)  

Exploit   use  unfairly  (CEFR)  

Introduction  to  Equality  of  Opportunity  

Equality  of  opportunity  is  an  American  cultural  value.  This  is  the  American  dream.  It  started  
with  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  document  that  was  signed  by  the  first  thirteen  
independent  states  on  July  4,  1776.  They  wanted  to  start  a  new  nation  called  the  United  States  
of  America.  Written  in  this  document  are  the  words:  
"We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-­‐evident,  that  all  men  are  created  equal,  that  they  are  endowed  
by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable  Rights,  that  among  these  are  Life,  Liberty  and  the  
pursuit  of  Happiness."-­‐  Preamble  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence  (U.S.,  1776).  
Equality  means  many  things  to  many  people.  In  the  United  States,  people  come  from  many  
countries,  religions,  languages,  and  races.  Each  individual  and  each  group  of  people  may  have  
different  experiences.  Everyone  is  free  to  pursue  (go  after)  a  life,  liberty  and  happiness.  This  is  

©2019  by  University  of  Maryland,  Baltimore  County  (UMBC).  Culture  Spotlight:  Equality  
of  Opportunity  for  the  AEe Ee Teacher  Program,  sponsored  by  the  U.S  Department  of  
State  and  administered  by  FHI  360.  This  work  is  licensed  under  the  Creative  Commons  
Attribution  4.0  License,  except  where  noted.  To  view  a  copy  of  this  license,  visit  
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  
what  equality  of  opportunity  is  all  about.  This  means  that  the  law  protects  freedom  for  people  
of  all  religions,  races,  genders,  and  classes.  The  government  provides  access  to  free  public  
education  for  all  school  aged  children,  and  requires  equal  access  to  public  employment  
opportunities  and  spaces.  
Although  the  United  States  was  founded  on  the  idea  that  “all  men  are  created  equal,”  this  
referred  specifically  to  men  of  European  ancestry.  Throughout  history,  different  groups  of  
people  have  fought  to  expand  that  understanding  to  include  everyone,  including  women,  
people  of  different  races  and  ethnicities,  and  people  with  disabilities.  

Open  Educational  Resources  Support  Equality  

Open  Education  Resources  (OERs)  offer  access  to  free  resources  and  information  for  those  who  
may  not  be  able  to  pay  for  them.  English  classes  and  teaching  materials,  for  example,  are  often  
available  only  to  those  who  have  money.  However,  if  we  make  and  share  OERs  with  others,  we  
can  provide  access  to  free  resources  for  English  teachers  and  students  who  may  not  otherwise  
have  them.  This  whole  course  is  an  open  educational  resource  that  can  provide  professional  
development  to  English  teachers.  The  activity  below  on  the  next  page  is  a  model  open  
educational  resource  (OER)  activity  about  a  U.S  cultural  value  (target  culture).  

This  is  a  program  of  the  U.S.  Department  of  State  administered  by  FHI  
360  and  delivered  by  University  of  Maryland  Baltimore  County
1.5.1  Activity:  Famous  Americans  Talk  About  Equality  of  Opportunity  

Model  OER  Activity  

The  activity  below  is  a  model  open  educational  resource  (OER)  activity  about  a  U.S  cultural  value  (target  
culture)  with  a  CCBY4.0  license.  This  means  you  can  reuse,  remix,  and  redistribute  (share)  it  as  long  as  
you  give  attribution  to  the  source.  Think  about  how  you  can  use  this  OER  to  support  your  student’s  
learning,  how  you  might  adapt  it  for  your  context,  and  how  you  might  share  it  with  other  colleagues.  
You  can  also  use  this  activity  to  support  your  own  learning,  and  share  it  with  your  students,  or  adapt  it  
to  fit  your  context.  
Famous  Americans  Talk  About  Equality  of  Opportunity  

Part  1:  Read  and/or  listen  to  some  quotes  about  equality  from  famous  Americans.  What  do  you  think  
they  mean?  You  will  use  these  quotes  and  their  meanings  in  the  matching  activity  below.  You  can  quiz  
yourself  on  the  next  page.  

"I do believe that there will be a clash between East and West. I believe
that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and
equality for everyone and those who want to continue the systems of Listen  
exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don't
think that it will be based upon the color of the skin…." (online)  

“Untitled” by Deutsch via Pixabay is - Malcolm X, African-American Muslim minister and human rights
licensed under CC 0. activist

"There  never  will  be  complete  equality  until  women  themselves  help  to   Listen  
make  laws  and  elect  lawmakers.”   (online)  
—Susan  B.  Anthony,  activist  and  leader  in  the  women's  voting  rights  
movement  
“Susan B. Anthony” by G.E. Perine
& Co., NY via Wikimedia Commons
is licensed under Public Domain.

“Now,  as  a  nation,  we  don't  promise  equal  outcomes,  but  we  were  
founded  on  the  idea  everybody  should  have  an  equal  opportunity  to  
succeed.  No  matter  who  you  are,  what  you  look  like,  where  you  come   Listen  
from,  you  can  make  it.  That's  an  essential  promise  of  America.  Where   (online)  
you  start  should  not  determine  where  you  end  up.”    

—  Barack  Obama,  44th  President  of  the  United  States

“Untitled” by Pete Souza via Wikimedia
Commons is licensed under Public
Domain.

This  is  a  program  of  the  U.S.  Department  of  State  administered  by  FHI  
360  and  delivered  by  University  of  Maryland  Baltimore  County
  
 
"A  good  many  observers  have  remarked  that  if  equality  could  come  at  
 
once,  the  Negro  [black  person]  would  not  be  ready  for  it.  I  submit  that  
the  white  American  is  even  more  unprepared."   Listen  
(online)  
—Dr.  Martin  Luther  King  Jr.,  Civil  rights  leader  

 
“Untitled.” by skeeze via Pixabay is
licensed under CC0  

  Listen  
(online)  
"I  do  believe  that  every  person  has  an  equal  opportunity  to  be  a  good  
and  wise  judge,  regardless  of  their  background  or  life  experiences."  

—  Sonia  Sotomayor,  1st  Hispanic  U.S.  Supreme  Court  Justice  

 
 
“Untitled” by Deutsch via Pixabay is
licensed under CC0

"This  nation  was  founded  by  men  of  many  nations  and  backgrounds.  It    
was  founded  on  the  principle  that  all  men  are  created  equal,  and  that  
the  rights  of  every  man  are  diminished  when  the  rights  of  one  man  are   Listen  
threatened."   (online)  
—John  F.  Kennedy,  35th  President  of  the  United  States

 
 
“Untitled” by Deutsch via
Pixabay is licensed under CC0

This  is  a  program  of  the  U.S.  Department  of  State  administered  by  FHI  
360  and  delivered  by  University  of  Maryland  Baltimore  County
Matching  Activity  
Please  take  a  moment  to  reflect  on  these  quotes  and  try  to  match  them  to  their  correct  meaning.    When  
you're  ready,  go  to  the  next  page  and  quiz  yourself  to  find  the  correct  match.  Quiz  yourself  by  trying  to  
match  the  quote  with  it’s  meaning.  

Part  2:  Match  the  quote  with  its  meaning.  

Quote   Letter   Meaning  

Example:  3.  "There  never  will  be  complete  equality  until  women   Means   F.      People  need  a  voice  in  decision  making  
themselves  help  to  make  laws  and  elect  lawmakers.”   in  order  to  have  equality.  
F  

1.    "I  do  believe  that  there  will  be  a  clash  between  East  and     A.    It  does  not  matter  how  and  where  
West.  I  believe  that  there  will  be  a  clash  between  those  who   people  grow  up,  they  can  be  a  leader  for  
want  freedom,  justice  and  equality  for  everyone  and  those  who   justice.  
want  to  continue  the  systems  of  exploitation.  I  believe  that  
there  will  be  that  kind  of  clash,  but  I  don't  think  that  it  will  be  
based  upon  the  color  of  the  skin…."    

2.    “Now,  as  a  nation,  we  don't  promise  equal  outcomes,  but  we     B.    When  people  don’t  treat  one  group  
were  founded  on  the  idea  everybody  should  have  an  equal   equally,  other  groups  are  in  danger  of  not  
opportunity  to  succeed.  No  matter  who  you  are,  what  you  look   being  treated  equally  as  well.  
like,  where  you  come  from,  you  can  make  it.  That's  an  essential  
promise  of  America.  Where  you  start  should  not  determine  
where  you  end  up.”  

3.    "There  never  will  be  complete  equality  until  women    F.   C.    Anyone  can  work  to  improve  their  
themselves  help  to  make  laws  and  elect  lawmakers.”   situation  and  achieve  success  

4.    "This  nation  was  founded  by  men  of  many  nations  and     D.    For  groups  of  people  that  have  not  
backgrounds.  It  was  founded  on  the  principle  that  all  men  are   experienced  equality  of  opportunity  for  
created  equal,  and  that  the  rights  of  every  man  are  diminished   diverse  groups,  making  change  and  
when  the  rights  of  one  man  are  threatened."   sharing  power  is  challenging.  

5.    "I  do  believe  that  every  person  has  an  equal  opportunity  to     E.    There  will  be  a  fight  between  people  
be  a  good  and  wise  judge,  regardless  of  their  background  or  life   who  want  resources  for  money  and  those  
experiences."   who  want  fair  treatment  for  people.  

6.    "A  good  many  observers  have  remarked  that  if  equality  could     F.    People  need  a  voice  in  decision  making  
come  at  once,  the  Negro  [black  person]  would  not  be  ready  for   in  order  to  have  equality.  
it.  I  submit  that  the  white  American  is  even  more  unprepared."  

©2018  by  University  of  Maryland,  Baltimore  County  (UMBC).  Culture  Spotlight:  Equality  of  
Opportunity  for  the  AE-­‐E-­‐Teacher  Program,  sponsored  by  the  U.S  Department  of  State  and  
administered  by  FHI  360.  This  work  is  licensed  under  the  Creative  Commons  Attribution  4.0  
License,  except  where  noted.  To  view  a  copy  of  this  license,  visit  
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  
References (OER)
Anthony, S. B. (May 1897). [Quote]. National Archives. Retrieved December 14, 2017, from
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/documented-rights/exhibit/section3/

"Equity" [definition]. Wikipedia. Retrieved December 13, 2017 from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equity

Kennedy, J. F. (1964). Report to the American People on Civil Rights. Retrieved December 14,
2017, from https://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/JFK-Speeches/Civil-Rights-
Radio-and-Television-Report_19630611.aspx

United States (1776). The Declaration of Independence. National Archives. Retrieved January 7,
2018 from
https://search.archives.gov/search?query=Declaration+of+Independence&submit=&utf8=&affili
ate=national-archives

References (Copyrighted)
This content is copyrighted, and cannot be adopted in any way, or distributed after the end of
this course. It is not Public Domain or Creative Commons-licensed, and therefore not for public
use. Please do not save a copy for your personal use, and do not use it after the course ends.

(CEFR), Common European Framework of Reference. English vocabulary profile free

subscription. Retrieved December 13, 2017, from
http://englishprofile.org/index.php/wordlists/free-subscription

King, M. L. (1967). Where do we go from here: Chaos or community? New York: Harper &
Row.

X, M., & Breitman, G. (1990). Malcolm X Speaks: Selected speeches and statements. New York:
Grove Weidenfeld.

This  is  a  program  of  the  U.S.  Department  of  State  administered  by  FHI  
360  and  delivered  by  University  of  Maryland  Baltimore  County