Be Informed-Get Involved
April 27, 2010
In the book, Civic Responsibility and Higher Education edited by Thomas Ehrlich, it states: “Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skill, values and motivation to make that difference through both political and non-political processes.” The University of Maryland’s Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership website continues by adding, “It is more than just volunteering or voting but exists when individuals recognize they have responsibilities not only to themselves and their families but also to their communities.” Civic engagement is reaching out and doing something for the common good by helping a neighbor, volunteering at the local food bank, and working on political issues. Through civic engagement, individuals will act as agents for a positive social change in their communities, their nations and in the world. Each citizen has the capacity to solve his or her own problems. As each citizen becomes socially accountable directly or indirectly within their communities, nation or world, their civic engagement will begin to increase.
The issues facing our world are becoming more complex and as individuals’ participate in civic engagement, not only will it promote a better quality of life in their communities but also gives a deeper understanding of the issues facing their communities. Becoming locally engaged increases knowledge about global issues as well. This, in turn will give the community a stronger voice and have a greater impact beyond the boundaries of the community. Ralph Nader stressed the necessity of civic engagement and emphasized how major social changes can emerge when individuals take an active role. A great city has many elements. Good quality schools, a thriving economy, safe streets, clean air, and a vibrant culture. However, neither the government, nor the nonprofit sector can create a great city. Only engaged citizens, working together can do so. There are several ways an individual can become civically engaged: 1)
Become a volunteer or an active member in a group or association. 2) Participate in a local fund-raising activity or support a local charity. 3) Join discussions, petitions or protests. 4) Write letters to local leaders to provoke change. By learning ways and getting involved will not only help the community, but will give you a sense of self-worth along the way.
Each citizen has a civic responsibility to some degree. According to Astin, Astin and Associates (2001) civic responsibility is “the act of becoming effective social change agents by making a positive difference in society to help solve the problems that plague America.” Today’s children will be tomorrow’s responsible citizens. The attitudes they develop through their teachings at home or in their community, will shape the quality of life for all of us. According to UCLA’s annual survey of the nation’s entering undergraduates, more college students exhibit record increases in commitments to social and civic responsibility, Two out of three or 66 percent entering freshmen believe it is essential to help others. This is the highest this figure has been in the past 25 years. The other portion of the survey revealed that their beliefs are reflected in their actions. An all-time high of 83 percent volunteered occasionally while 71 percent volunteered on a weekly basis. This proves college students find value in seeking change and influence in their communities and throughout the nation.
We all need to learn how to participate in a democracy. We all need to develop decision-making and evaluation skills in order to understand the world or more locally, the community around us. By learning the value of service, we will develop a sense of self-reliance and tolerance of others. According to the National Community Service Trust Act, many educators believe that civic responsibility can best be developed when teachers work toward linking three components: community service, learning outcomes and civic education. In it’s simplest form, civic responsibility is providing community service.
My mother works at a Title I elementary school as a tutor. Not only is she providing a service to the children in need, she is helping them become better citizens as they work through their challenges. She often mentions how fulfilling it is when the children show improvement and excitement in their small achievements.
As an Eagle Scout, I was required to become actively involved within my community. I had the opportunity of feeding the homeless, distributing flyers, collecting food for the Food Bank, organizing a workshop to instruct children in basic self-defense and personal safety and providing neighbors with proper fire protection and adequate fire equipment. While I was involved in these various opportunities, I found myself more concerned for others and less self-indulgent however as I have grown older and not required, perhaps I have forgotten the need and importance of both civic responsibility and civic engagement. I think so many times, life gets the best of us and we get lost in ourselves. Many problems in the world could be solved if we reached out more and gave of ourselves more. Small acts of civic engagement will benefit others and continue to improve their lives for the future.
Being civically literate not only is the knowledge of how to actively participate but also how to initiate change in our community and society. Since September 11, 2002, more and more citizens have become aware or civically literate of national issues and have become actively involved. Knowledge is information and the more knowledge we have politically and socially the better equipped we are as citizens. Participating effectively in civic life through knowing how to stay informed is the key to civic literacy. Exercising our rights and obligations of citizenship on local, state, national and global levels will lead us to understanding the local and global implications have upon our lives and the lives of our families. The more we are informed as citizens, democracy will continue to work and positive change will emerge.
