Frederick Douglass on Should Alex speak up at the meeting about the favoritism?

By Frederick Douglass•Fairness & Justice•2 min read•Grade 9.0
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Alex is the student lead of a school club focused on justice and equality. They've discovered that their club advisor, Mr.

The Choice

Should Alex speak up at the meeting about the favoritism?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 9.016208383233533
Word Count
334 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Alex is the student lead of a school club focused on justice and equality. They've discovered that their club advisor, Mr. Jenkins, has been unfairly favoring certain students for leadership roles based on personal connections rather than merit. A big meeting is coming up, and Alex is expected to give a speech about the club's achievements this year. Alex wants to address the issue publicly, but doing so might lead to Mr. Jenkins being removed from his position, which could disrupt the club and upset some members. On the other hand, staying silent means the unfairness continues, and deserving students might never get their chance to lead.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Justice
vs
Autonomy

Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.

Your Options

A

Speak up about the favoritism during the meeting.

B

Stay silent to avoid disrupting the club.

Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.

  1. 1

    What are the potential consequences of speaking up?

  2. 2

    How might other club members feel if Alex stays silent?

  3. 3

    What does fairness mean in a leadership context?

  4. 4

    How could Alex prepare for potential backlash if they speak up?

  5. 5

    Why might Mr. Jenkins be favoring certain students?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Frederick Douglass

Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.

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