International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2012, Vol. 8(3) 62-76

Implications of Community Activism among Urban Minority Young People for Education for Engaged and Critical Citizenship

Chaebong Nam

pp. 62 - 76   |  Manu. Number: ijpe.2012.044

Published online: October 15, 2012  |   Number of Views: 114  |  Number of Download: 301


Abstract

Citizenship is fundamentally defined by praxis--i.e., engagement in local and diverse forms of civic practices--rather than by a legal status tied to the nation-state (Tully, 2008). This study examined the participatory democracy practices of a community activist group that was organizing to resist gentrification in a Puerto Rican community in Chicago in the U.S. In  order to preserve their Puerto Rican community and build a grassroots democracy practice, the young activists involved themselves in a variety of community issues, ranging across political, socio-cultural, and educational domains. Noticeably, they worked to engage local youth in community events and in the process of production and distribution of local information. This helped the youth to learn about important community issues, as well as Puerto Rican history and culture, which had not been taught in local public schools. Such intergenerational and holistic educational activities not only produced new young leaders but in fact created a pipeline of community leadership. Their efforts present a useful educational model of engaged and critical citizenship, demonstrating the unique contributions of learning beyond the classroom.

Keywords: Community activism, Urban minority youth, Critical citizenship


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Nam, C. (2012). Implications of Community Activism among Urban Minority Young People for Education for Engaged and Critical Citizenship . International Journal of Progressive Education, 8(3), 62-76.

Harvard
Nam, C. (2012). Implications of Community Activism among Urban Minority Young People for Education for Engaged and Critical Citizenship . International Journal of Progressive Education, 8(3), pp. 62-76.

Chicago 16th edition
Nam, Chaebong (2012). "Implications of Community Activism among Urban Minority Young People for Education for Engaged and Critical Citizenship ". International Journal of Progressive Education 8 (3):62-76.

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