小蝌蚪APP

Freedom, Equality Focus of 'Teach-In'

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Posted on January 17, 2017

Joy Washington

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鈥淭he function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character 鈥� that is the goal of true education.鈥� 鈥揇r. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While marches and other events took place on Monday, Jan. 16, to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a group of seven 小蝌蚪APP students organized and presented an on-campus "teach-in" on the 鈥淓xploration of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality.鈥�

More than 40 students, faculty, staff, and community members participated in the presentation-style forum that included breakout sessions and a wrap up session.

The African-American Studies Program sponsored this educational event where students researched, organized and facilitated all the sessions with the guidance of Dr. Kern Jackson, associate professor and director of African-American Studies. The student facilitators encouraged discussion on the Declaration of Independence, specifically, the sentence that says 鈥渦nalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.鈥�

鈥淲e did a great deal of research to prepare for the teach-in,鈥� said Ashlyn Cohen, a sophomore visual arts major from Mobile. 鈥淎 lot of important details were discussed regarding our Declaration of Independence. I  have never facilitated a program such as this. It was great to lead the discussion. And, I hope to be able to conduct future teach-in sessions. This was a great experience.鈥�

Cohen鈥檚 co-facilitator was Lydia Turner, a freshman foreign languages and literatures major. Turner and Cohen, both Faith Academy graduates, were thrilled to find out they both were attending South and would be leading this informative discussion.

鈥淭hrough this process, I have a better understanding about this great country of ours. I really enjoyed the teaching and learning aspect of this project, "Turner explained. 鈥淲e dissected the Declaration of Independence, and there was a robust discussion about how there鈥檚 no freedom without equality.鈥�

There were also points made during the discussion about how civics or government should be taught earlier and longer at all grade levels.

鈥淲hereas freedom and liberty seem to rise to the top in the contemporary American consciousness,鈥� Jackson noted.  鈥淗ow the Declaration articulates equality is just as, if not more, paramount."

Jackson shared author Danielle Allen鈥檚 latest book, 鈥淥ur Declaration: A Reading of Independence in Defense of Equality,鈥� with the student facilitators as background for the teach-in. Jackson also recognized freshman Giana Harris Stallworth, who came up with the idea of incorporating this forum as a way to celebrate MLK Day.  

 

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