Students Speak Out: A Discussion Activity

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A Call To Black Youth
A Spelman student explains how voting serves as an old solution to new problems.

Talk It Out

• Can voting alleviate serious conditions facing the black community? Do you agree that apathy among black youth is widespread? Why?
• Do you see any leaders who can assume the kind of leadership modeled by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? If so, who is the person and what characterizes their leadership?
• Are there other leaders who give you hope? How can you support those leaders?
• Moya Bailey writes, "We could really elect someone who could be a voice for our generation, someone willing to ensure the rights and change the discriminatory practices already in existence." What discriminatory practices would you like to see eliminated? Why?

The Case For Race
Candace Coleman once opposed affirmative action, but, after reading about the issue, she changed her opinion.

Talk It Out

• Candace Coleman states that racism today is not as obvious as it was in the past. What does she mean? What does racism look like today?
• What is affirmative action? Who benefits?
• Do you think that underrepresented minorities should be given extra consideration? Why? What common experiences do you think these groups share?
• Does a diverse student population improve the learning environment?
• What advantages and disadvantages have you experienced based on your race, ethnic origin, gender, size, religion and/or age?

Creating a Mandate for Student Involvement
Youth are an integral part of the movement for human rights, as well as worker and racial justice in the South. The Civil Rights Movement and other social change movements were spearheaded by young people.

Talk It Out

• Do you agree that it is important for youth to become active in social change movements? Why or why not?
• The article cites examples of student activism. What are some examples of student activism in your school or community?
• Camisha Long said youth have to be "lured into activism." Do you agree? Why? How can this happen?
• Students get involved in activism when they have training, better communication and the opportunity to lead. Can you think of innovative and fun strategies that would be effective to get students involved?