Recent headlines point to all kinds of student action, from tackling climate change to advocating for more equitable schools. But those of us who work with students know they're doing what young people have always done: leading the way toward necessary change. In this edition of The Moment, we offer resources to help you support your students when they stand up against injustice, fight for equity and take the lead in shaping a better future for all of us.
From an early age, each of us must navigate numerous social institutions, many of which were designed to perpetuate centuries-old inequities. For us to move in those spaces with power and agency, civic knowledge, skills and dispositions are essential. But alarming trends reveal a sharp decline in civics competency among adults in the United States, and participation in places that bring people together to solve common problems has withered, too. Civics education needs a critical social justice lens so people can fulfill the potential of a multiracial and inclusive democracy.
When it comes to investing in racial justice in education, we believe that the South is the best place to start. If you’re an educator, parent or caregiver, or community member living and working in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana or Mississippi, we’ll mail you a free introductory package of our resources when you join our community and subscribe to our magazine.