What does it mean to be a good citizen?Students will examine recent protests in an attempt to answer the question, "What does it mean to be a good citizen?" In their article titled, "Educating the Good Citizen" Joel Westheimer and Joseph Kahne assert that ones sense of what democracy requires of its citizens is impacted by ones political beliefs.
This lesson challenges students to view a video titled "NFL Players Team Up in Defiance and Solidarity" and consider whether good citizenship involves being active and standing up for what you believe in or following the rules. Then students will prepare their response to the midterm exam question and consider whether anyone they met through their service exemplifies what it means to be a good citizen. |
In support of the protesters |
In opposition of the protesters |
Midterm Exam Preparation
In the journal section of your PSL notebook, prepare your answer to the question below. Be sure to reference Westheimer and Kahne's article titled "Educating the Good Citizen" when constructing your answer.
In November 2017 GQ named Colin Kaepernick its Citizen of the Year because he took a knee during the national anthem “to protest systemic oppression and, more specifically, police brutality toward black people.” GQ asserts that Kaepernick risked everything to make a difference and ultimately forced people to look at things that they did not want to see and listen to things that they did not want to hear. In September 2018, Nike's "Just Do It" campaign featured a photo of Kaepernick with the words "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." What does it mean to be a good citizen? How do political views affect people’s interpretation of what it means to be a good citizen? Do you agree with GQ and Nike's decision to feature Kaepernick so prominently? Have you met anyone through your service who might be more worthy of this recognition?
In November 2017 GQ named Colin Kaepernick its Citizen of the Year because he took a knee during the national anthem “to protest systemic oppression and, more specifically, police brutality toward black people.” GQ asserts that Kaepernick risked everything to make a difference and ultimately forced people to look at things that they did not want to see and listen to things that they did not want to hear. In September 2018, Nike's "Just Do It" campaign featured a photo of Kaepernick with the words "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." What does it mean to be a good citizen? How do political views affect people’s interpretation of what it means to be a good citizen? Do you agree with GQ and Nike's decision to feature Kaepernick so prominently? Have you met anyone through your service who might be more worthy of this recognition?