Teachers are often leery of being accused of expressing political opinions in classes or even public forums and of encouraging student activism. However, according to the National Council for Social Studies, “The primary purpose of Social Studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” In New York State, students in all grades K-12 are expected to demonstrate “the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.” As I read it, both of these statements mean teachers should promote student social activism.
The Museum of the City of New York obviously also agrees and on Saturday May 6 it is hosting its 5th Annual Teaching Social Activism in the Classroom Conference This year’s theme is “Youth as Change Agents.” The conference will address the questions: How can our students make a difference? How are they already doing so? The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St.
Scene from last year’s Teaching Social Activism Conference.
The Social Activism conference starts at 9 AM and runs until 3:30. Admission for the conference and the museum that day is free and lunch is provided. Advance registration is encouraged. Teachers who attend receive a letter of attendance that the New York City Department of Education accepts for professional development. For more information contact the museum at pd@mcny.org.
Social activism workshops include “Youth Speak, Youth Stories;” “Documented/Undocumented: Stories by Immigrant Youth;” and “Music, Action, Go: The K-12 Music Classroom as a Social Justice Playground.”
The Museum of the City of New York also has a special exhibit that explores the drama of social activism in New York City from the 17th century right up to the present. “In a town renowned for its in-your-face persona, citizens have banded together on issues as diverse as civil rights, wages, sexual orientation, and religious freedom. Using artifacts, photographs, audio and visual presentations, as well as interactive components that seek to tell the story of activism in the five boroughs past and present, Activist New York presents the passions and conflicts that underlie the city's history of agitation.”
Activist New Yorkers fight for the right of women to vote.
I will be part of the panel on “Documented/Undocumented: Stories by Immigrant Youth.” Immigrant youth, both documented and undocumented, have been major forces in the campaign for the Dream Act and immigration reform, especially a path to citizenship. The panel includes high school teachers, students, and recent graduates who will discuss their experience working with and as documented and undocumented immigrants and how it has shaped their hopes and fears and perspectives on life in the United States and the need for immigration reform. The session will be informal and involve maximum audience participation in discussion. The primary goal is to help panelists and participants develop their own understanding of the need for social activism in defense of documented and undocumented immigrants.
My contribution will be a reprise of my Reeces Pieces “Immigration Rap” originally showcased at the March 29th Hofstra University conference on “Central American Child Migrants in Nassau County.”
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