On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 demonstrators participated in the “March on Washington
for Jobs and Freedom.” It was the largest demonstration for human rights in
United States history and it unified several civil rights organizations. It was
on that day that Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. delivered his infamous “I Have a
Dream” speech, and it was on that day that Americans of various races and
religious creeds shared speeches, songs, and prayers led by clergymen, civil
rights leaders, politicians, and entertainers.
Dr. King activated the power of voice and helped people understand that
you have to possess passion and be equipped with knowledge to make critical,
well-informed decisions that improve our society. With social media and
technology at times taking the place of marches and protests and augmenting
others, the young activist of the new millennium has the power to have the
issues of their community heard and seen globally. It is the responsibility of
all who teach and mentor them to be sure they know how to get correct
information and know how to critically analyze it.
In "The Purpose of
Education" (1947), Dr. King wrote, "The function of education is to
teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus
character - that is the goal of true education."
In the U.S., our political framework requires citizens be involved,
informed and engaged. A ‘government of the people’ cannot function if there are
no avenues for civic involvement, no methods for community deliberation, or no
opportunities to influence government decisions. Elections, petitions, and
public deliberation are all a form of civic participation. It is the role of
the people to exercise these rights to participate, and the responsibility of
the government to respond and respect them.
In this light, immigration is one of many topics where the need for
factual information, dialogue, and youth voice are integral for understanding
our past and present as a diverse nation. We developed an immigration and civic
engagement lesson plan for high school students where they wrestle with the
essential and “American” question: how
deep is our commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Using our nation’s founding documents and Dr. King’s words as a launching
point, students will learn about five historical examples of restrictive
immigration law and policy and also about the value of young people’s voices in
movements to secure rights. This Common-Core and C3 Framework aligned lesson
plan has an adaptable Prezi presentation, Cornell Notes handout, and opportunities
for student writing. It would make a great companion to a close read of Dr.
King’s “I Have a Dream
Speech.”
We thank you for the work you do and wish you a great start to the
school year!
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