Visitor from Outer Space: Choosing Five Rights
In the year 2025, a creature named Sthgir from planet Noitutitsnoc takes over America and gives citizens the option to keep only five rights out of a list. The citizens must unanimously decide on the rights to keep, leading to thought-provoking considerations about individual freedoms and societal implications.
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A Visitor From Outer Space Constitutional Rights Foundation
Imagine it is the year 2025. You are watching your wall- sized television and a special news bulletin comes on. This strange creature appears on the screen and informs you that it has taken over America. NEWS BULLETIN You rapidly flip through all 500 channels and it appears on every channel. It says...
ATTENTION!!! I am Sthgir from planet Noitutitsnoc. Just as I have taken over television, I will take over your lives. But I come in peace. I realize that individual freedom means a great deal to American citizens. Therefore, I will not take away all your rights.
You have a choice. From a list of basic rights, you may choose five to keep. Think carefully before you vote, as all your rights as citizens will end except for the ones you select. You will work with a group of other citizens to decide, and your decision must be unanimous. Failure to reach a unanimous decision will result in the termination of all rights. The list of choices will now appear on screen.
Choose Only Five 1. Right to have a state militia and bear arms. 2. Right to freedom of speech. 3. Right to a lawyer. 4. Right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment. 5. Right to freedom of the press. 6. Right to a jury trial. 7. Right to freedom of religion. 8. Right to peacefully assemble. 9. Right to privacy. 10. Protection from self-incrimination. 11. Right to equal protection of the laws.
Was it difficult to reach a unanimous decision? Why or why not? Which rights were the easiest for you to give up? Why? How would our society be different if we were limited to the five rights you chose? What important or surprising things did you learn about the Bill of Rights or Constitution today?
A Visitor from Outer Space Designed by Marshall Croddy Written by Keri Doggett & Bill Hayes Graphic Design by Keri Doggett Production by Andrew Costly A Visitor From Outer Space is adapted from Responsibilities and Rights in Schools, 1978, by Donald P. Vetter and Linda Ford of the Carroll County Public Schools, Westminster Maryland. Used with permission.
Handout A: List of Rights Choose Only Five 1. Right to have a state militia and bear arms. 2. Right to freedom of speech. 3. Right to a lawyer. 4. Right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment. 5. Right to freedom of the press. 6. Right to a jury trial. 7. Right to freedom of religion. 8. Right to peacefully assemble. 9. Right to privacy. 10. Protection from self-incrimination. 11. Right to equal protection of the laws.
