Stephanie Baker- Y.P.P. Workshop Facilitator
Apathy is a consistent problem facing this country. People cannot see themselves in the wide scope of the greater good, and neither can they place themselves in relation to their community and their government. Today Y.P.P MLWs from the Greater Boston area worked in teams to confront this problem. Using examples from the Civil Rights Movement as a guide, they defined the terms social justice, citizenship, and civic engagement. The MLWs defined social justice as the fight for equality and fairness, and rights among people that apply to all regardless of any classifications (such as race or gender). Citizenship entails government protection of basic rights (regardless of race, beliefs, social standing, gender, etc), and places responsibilities on the citizen to be active. These responsibilities are carried out through civic engagement. They defined civic engagement as fulfilling responsibilities through striving to make society a better place though activities like volunteering in the community and voting. Below are some voices of Greater Boston MLWs on what being a citizen means to them and what type of change they want to see in their community and/or society.
What does being a citizen mean to you?
Being a citizen to me just means that I have the rights that everyone else in the country has. Aso it's the government's job to make sure all my rights are protected. -Anaymous
A citizen means someone who is part of a community who get involved and tries to make the society a better place for other to live - Mahalia Durham
Being a citizen mean to me being an active participant in civil engagements and being guaranteed your basic rights, and having a say in government. - MB
Being a citizen means to me that I have limited freedom without being questioned about it. Beinga citizen to me also means that I'm HOME. - Chris
Being a citizen to me means you have rights and your government protects those rights - MS
Being a citizen means that you play your part correctly as a person in your community that are required. -NTM
Being a citizen means being an active participant in society - D'andre A.
Is there any problem in society you want to see changed? What do you wanted to see happen?
I wish the gang violence rate would decrease because a lot of people are dying over dumb things. I would also like to see a change in teh education system so that students actually enjoy school. Highschool should be a place where you can try out different things so you can decide on your career path before college. Also, the government should assist more people with paying for college. -Ananymous
Yes, there many problem in society I would like to change, like gang violence. Also, immigrantion. I hope the government can find a way to help the immigrants trying to do good for themselves and get out the immigrants causing more violence. -Mahalia Durham
I want the government to give more financial assitance to people going to college because they're trying to make a better life. Its not fair, if they can't go where they want or at all because they can't afford it. -MB
I would like for my streets to be cleaner and people cleaning the trup of the floor, and I would like to see more youth centers or youth programs so there aren't that manny kids out in the streets into trouble. -Chris
I would want to see gang violence in general change. I wanna see eveyone living in peace making money - MS
I woud like to see violence change because it affects everyone! -NTM
I want to see the drug proglem and gang violence situation change. I want to see more gang members going to jail. -D'Andre A.
