Activism is nothing new in our country. After all, it has been something that has pushed the United States to become a better, more accepting place to live. For example, in 1917, 10 people protested in favor of women’s suffrage. Two years later, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, prohibiting the government from denying people the right to vote.
There is a real power to activism and this is something on which the youth should be educated. Parents need to ask themselves why they should encourage teens to go on protests and how do they expose kids to activism at an early age? Today, we take a look at the importance of activism for younger generations, and how you can encourage them to participate.
Why educate the youth about activism?
They can make a difference, despite their age.
The New York Times wrote an article that detailed seven significant instances of student activism throughout history, and the positive impacts they have made today. A notable one listed was the University Uprising of 1968. In that year, students from universities around the globe called for changes like racial representation in their curriculum, a student council to be created to give them a voice, and even canceling dangerous research. The administration of these universities eventually gave in to their demands.
They have a unique platform they can use.
Unlike in the past, activism today can come in many forms other than just rallies. Some of the most popular ones involve the usage of online platforms and social media. We even did a feature on Yara Shahidi who created a progressive, social media-focused news organization to inspire her generation to speak up about timely issues. The youth have this big platform available to them at all times, which they can use to be heard across the globe.
They have the right to safeguard their future.
People don’t protest just to make a difference for the present, they do so to avoid the same things happening in the future. The recent outcry for the justice of George Floyd is but one example. A society that doesn’t condemn police brutality is an unsafe one for the next generation. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has also emphasized how her generation might be the last to see the beauty of the world if they don’t demand changes now.
Teaching them the how’s of activism
Like most things learned in the world, activism can begin in two places—at home or in the classroom. For parents, it helps to expose them to issues early on. They can take older children to peaceful protests to expose them to the healthy activism. Professionals at Northside Independent School District Library recommends reading them relevant literature, too. Children’s books like Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz are good stories to read to them before they sleep.
Similarly, once kids reach school, the responsibility of teaching them the importance of social and environmental justice falls to the institution. And this learning should never stop, whether they move forward and specialize in social work or not. For those who do go on to take an online BSW program, one of the Council on Social Work Education competencies covered is social and economic justice. They will learn not just about the history of social injustice, but how to tackle it and teach the next generation to stand up for what is right. These programs are also centered on specialized electives such as the sociology of healthcare, mental health in society, and juvenile delinquency. As social workers often work with disadvantaged populations, they have a unique understanding of what the youth need and how to address these challenges. Teachers and educators should also be encouraged to speak up about timely issues, include relevant discussions in their syllabi, and like parents must use every opportunity they have to inspire the next generation to fight for their future.
The youth have the right to fight for their futures, and, as such, we need to encourage them to do just that. They have the resources to make a difference, and must be taught how and why to use them for good causes.
Article specially written for urbanleagueupstate.org by Mellie Garner.
Mellie Garner is a third-year law student, an educator, and a human rights activist. She studied history and now teaches it in high school. She believes that learning history is the key to a better future for all.