"The Southern Civil Rights Movement: The Pivotal Role of Young People"

July 17-22, 2006
July 23-28, 2007
June 7-11, 2008
May 25-30, 2009

This week-long workshop was designed for junior-high and high-school students interested in learning about the contributions and sacrifices made by people who were their age during the Civil Rights Movement. The workshop explored the nature of American democracy and how engaged citizens can advance democractic ideals in the face of resistance and oppression. Field trips to civil rights landmarks in Jackson and other communities in the state were combined with lectures, oral history panels, and group and individual work to bring workshop participants a greater understanding of the achievements of ordinary people in the struggle for civil rights. A total of 18 junior-high and high-school students participated in the 2006 workshop, 21 in the 2007 workshop, and 25 in the 2008 workshop.