The people who made the Montgomery Bus Boycott successful were woman and men, Black and White, young and old. Alphonso Perry, a track star at school, recalls how he used his athletic skill to deliver notices on the boycott from door to door. Other young men and women walked to and from school together, protecting one another, seeing to it that all hot home safely. There is no age requirement for standing up for what you believe; young people can be very effective as activists.
OBJECTIVES
- Recognize the necessary steps for social action
- Create an action plan for community involvement
At the time Mrs. Parks kept her seat and the boycotters refused to ride, segregation was a commonly accepted practice in the South. It takes a great deal of individual courage to stand up to something that most people accept.
At times, we have all refrained from speaking or acting for what we believe is right. What are some of the things that keep us from acting? (For example, we don’t have time; we aren’t sure anyone else will be on our side; or we don’t think our actions will make a difference anyway.) Think of a time when you have been in this position.
- What was the issue or problem?
- What kept you from acting or speaking in that situation?
- What might you have said or done at the time?
- What difference would it have made to the situation?
- What difference would it have made in yourself?
- If you confront the same situation again, what will you do? What will you say?
Although there are many different ways to campaign for change, the following steps will help you get started.
1. Identify your cause. What current social problems – either at your school, in your community, in the country or internationally – are of special interest to you? What injustices need to be more fully addressed in society?
2. Consider the possibilities. Why is this issue important to you? Is it important enough to justify your time? What are the possible risks? How might you and your friends make a difference? What are your chances of success?
3. Research your issue. What do you need to know about this issue? What related issues might you investigate? What are some of the opposing arguments? Who can help you find more information or strengthen your position?
4. Build alliances. Find allies who will help you with your project. Who shares common goals? (They should be friends, teachers, parents, local organizations, etc.) What individuals might what to work with you on this issue? What local or national organizations can offer assistance?
5. Build Strategies. What are some of the methods you might use to educate the public about your cause? Brainstorm things you can do to bring about change in the current situation. Questions to consider are:
- Why do you want to change the current situation?
- How will you go about doing this?
- Will your actions encourage other people to take up the cause or discourage them from doing so?
- What effect will your actions have on community leaders or lawmakers?
- Present your action plan to the class. As part of your group’s presentation, explain how your action plan is going to convince the community to support your cause. Students outside the group can suggest additional actionas and also play devil’s advocate, suggesting how your action plan might turn potential supporters off.
- Contact local lawmakers, activists and other community leaders who work for social change. Invite them to your classroom to discuss their projects and critique the class’s actions plans.
- Interview family members who have stood up for something they believed in or were part of a protest or social movement. What role did they play? Why did they choose to act? Did they take any risks? Audiotape or videotape the interviews.
- The World Wide Web is a gold mine of student activist sites and stories.
-www.teachingtolerance.org
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