An inspiring and growing number of young people all over California are
working for justice not only in their communities but throughout the world. From all-youth volunteer efforts to initiatives sponsored by nonprofit advocacy and service organizations, there are now a multitude of arenas in
which young people are dedicating their time, thinking and activism. Young people can be found in youth-led organizing efforts, in intergenerational community building efforts, and in programs focused on developing
youth as leaders and activists. They are working for just and equitable schools for students of all races, languages and socioeconomic backgrounds; for environmental justice in poor neighborhoods; and for reform of the
criminal justice system that is incarcerating young people of color at staggeringly disproportionate rates. Young people realize that these and many other concerns are interconnected. Education is a cross-cutting theme that most
young people cite when asked what they believe needs to change first if justice is to be realized.
Like the generations before them, young activists are not a monolithic movement, but they do share the experience of
growing up in the unique era that shaped their views of the world. What kinds of connections can be found among these young activists and long-time activists for social justice? What kinds of alliances are being formed and lessons
exchanged? Are older activists hearing the new ways that young people are identifying problems and calling for solutions? Do the experiences of long-time activists have any relevance for younger activists living a 21st century
reality? Are the generations supporting or hindering each other? Can the generations rally around shared concerns? The answer to that last question is that in the 21st century, they must.
On the afternoon of March 2 at
the CAHRO annual training conference, a space will be created to delve into these questions. All conference attendees are invited to participate in a plenary session devoted to dialogue and relationship building among newer (and
often younger) and longtime (often older) advocates, organizers and others working for social justice. We will use education and school reform activism as a case study in this interactive session organized and facilitated by
California Tomorrow. The goals of the session are to:
- Hear and acknowledge different individual and groups' analysis and strategies
- Learn what it is like for activists of different generations to do their work
- Increase potential for respectful and powerful alliances
Participants will talk about commonalities and the unique strengths of the activist generations and examine the perspectives of a sampling of activists representing not only different generations, but different bases
dedicated to improving schools - including youth organizers, activist teachers, education reformers and advocates, and community workers.
Questions posed to all participants for self reflection will include: What are
the driving issues behind your work and how do you choose your strategies? What can you learn from different generations? What do you want from alliances? What will it take to build powerful cross-generational alliances?
The session will be held from 4-5:30 on Friday March 2. To register for the conference and get more info, log on to: www.cahro.org or call Cookie Hiponia at 415-775-2341.
California Tomorrow is a
nonprofit research, advocacy and training organization dedicated to building a fair and equitable multiracial, multicultural, multilingual society.
