Civics literacy is crucial if our nation is to achieve an inclusive, multiracial democracy. The learning journeys and resources in this series can help to develop the civic knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for responsible civic engagement – including the power of the vote.
Lee Anne Bell, professor emerita at Columbia University, offers the following definitions:
- Civic knowledge entails understanding how our political system works and knowing our political and civic rights and responsibilities—such as the right to vote and run for public office and our responsibility to respect the rights and interests of others.
- Civic skills include the ability to analyze and evaluate issues so we can thoughtfully articulate and defend positions on topics that matter to us. Civic skills enable us to participate in public processes such as monitoring government performance and mobilizing with others around issues of collective concern.
- Civic dispositions—such as public-spiritedness; critical-mindedness; and the willingness to listen, learn from, negotiate and compromise with others—are the basis for participating respectfully with others as equals.
“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.”
– John Lewis
Learning, Reflection and Action
Our Votes Matter: Action Steps in Planning to Vote
At this crucial moment in our nation’s history, all our votes matter. Act now in planning and ensuring your ability to vote. This learning resource provides action steps for participating in today’s election process.
Media Literacy Is Vital During the Election Process
Media literacy – being able to access, analyze and evaluate information for accuracy and reliability across a variety of mediums – is crucial for us to make informed decisions.
Understanding Voter Suppression in Today's Election Process
Strategies to suppress voting continue to undermine our democracy today and have increased over the past two decades.
Further Reading: Learning for Justice Magazine
Civics Education for Democracy
This issue explores the role of civics literacy in developing the intellectual tools, knowledge and civic dispositions essential for democracy.
The Power of Place
This issue highlights the deep-rooted legacies of power and justice in communities in the South.
Expanding Democracy
This issue highlights that the fight for democracy is built on intersecting struggles for justice and calls upon us to advance the human rights of all people.