To help celebrate Black History Month, I will lead a discussion with an 8th grade class tomorrow afternoon about the Civil Rights Movement. While it might seem strange, I feel more pressure to review and prepare than when discussing the same issues with adults. Why? The questions will be less predictable.
Regardless, the overall point I hope to make is that social behavior is not changed by single events. It is changed by the awareness of small moments and one’s ability to use each moment to move towards a larger goal.
I will use the time period of Civil Rights Movement to show how the events clearly demonstrated the plight of those suffering from a historically unequal place in society. I will then discuss how if the events were taken to heart, action could be seen in homes. For example, discussions at the dinner table may have brought awareness of small moments where change could be made – perhaps on the school bus, in the lunchrooms or playgrounds.
Children are our greatest hope for a sustained change in this country. Talk to your children while they are young, very young. Help them to be aware of the moments when they can make a difference. Teach them to be the kind of men and women who will move us all to a better future.
I hope my discussion tomorrow is helpful.