3. 1. Conversely
Context: “Conversely,one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”
My Guess: In contradiction
Definition: (adverb) Introducing a statement or idea that reverses one that has
just been made or referred to
Why it Matters: MLK talks about having to obey and follow laws that are equal
with everyone. However, it is in the people's power to change those laws that
are limiting and unfair to certain groups in the community.
Critical Thinking Questions:
● What are the different varieties/types of ways laws try to control and limit
one's individual power?
● What are some similarities between laws during the Civil Rights Era and
the laws today?
4. 1. Conversely (continued)
Visualization
This image shows Martin Luther
King Jr.getting his headshot
while he was doing time in jail.
King felt strongly about the
cause of desegregation although
he told everyone to follow the
law he broke a few unjust laws
along the way.
5. 2. Lamentably
Context: “Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups
seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.”
My Guess: unfortunately
Definition: Lamentable (adj) inspiring or deserving of ament or regret
Why it Matters: King brings up a good fact thats basically saying that
throughout history there is no moment in which the rich group has ever given
up their rights voluntarily but the poor groups have no other choice but to give
up.
Critical Thinking Question:
If the more privileged groups gave up their privileges more often would it have
minimized the racial inequalities way before the Civil Rights Era?
6. 2. Lamentably (continued)
Visualization
King constantly gave speeches that inspired the
world even though what he talked about was
unjust and unethical to talk about during that time
period.
7. 3. Verbatim
Context: “dialogue is either deducted from the written record or quoted
verbatim as it was recounted to me in an interview” (Henrietta Lacks pg xiv)
My Guess: The tone used to say a word
Definition: In exactly the same words as were used word for word (adj)
Why it Matters: In creating and writing “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”
the authors main goal was to copy down exactly what each person said and
how they said it. She didn’t want to change anything, because it would change
the truth.
Critical thinking question:
Would it have changed the story of Henrietta Lacks if the wording changed?
8. 3. Verbatim (continued)
Visualization
The importance of verbatim plays an
important role in writing the story of
Henrietta Lacks and how by keeping it
word for word helps create an
atmosphere of being alive during her time
period.
9. 4.Palpated
Context: “I do not quite know what she means by this, unless she actually
palpated this area” (Henrietta Lacks pg 17)
My Guess: check yourself
Definition: Examine organ medically by touching
Why it Matters: Henrietta first discovers a weird painful lump which causes her
concern. Later to find out its cancer.
Critical thinking question:
If Henrietta never would’ve touched where her pain was coming from would
have she ever gone to go get it checked out?
11. 5. Idyllic
Context: “When Most Lackses talked about Henrietta and Day and their
early life in Clover, it sounded as idyllic as a fairy tale.” (Henrietta Lacks
pg 24)
My Guess: Fake
Definition: serenely beautiful and happy
Why it Matters: Henrietta has been told that her husband Day would be no
good for her, maybe giving a hint that later they might have relationship
problems.
Critical thinking question:
Why wasn’t Henrietta's family content with her decision of marrying Day?
Would it have been the same criticism if she would have married Crazy Joe?
