The Dreams and Possibilities of Youth: Creating Socially Just Safe Spaces for Urban Students

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: Dreams and Possibilities for Black Youth in Education

Abstract

In our ongoing quest to discover strategies to promote a social justice agenda within urban school systems and to help educators understand their role in this process, we believe it is essential to give voice to those affected by the policies and practices we employ. We asked students in grades 5-12 to think about their personal convictions as they develop their ideas around the concept of social justice and create an artistic expression exemplifying their beliefs. Findings suggest that youth understand clearly issues related to equity and fairness, and they believe not only that there are individuals in their lives who work toward these ideals, but that they too have a very distinct role in becoming advocates for social change.

Authors

• Shirley Marie McCarther, University of Missouri - Kansas City

• Donna Marie Davis, University of Missouri - Kansas City