teach students what political dissent is<\/a>, why it matters to a healthy democracy, and how to engage in it.<\/p>\n Ideally, with the support of their school administrators and the local community, teachers should help students distinguish justified protest from the violent siege that occurred at the Capitol. They should explain how good dissent seeks to understand problems, critiques injustice, sparks discussion between people with different views, bases claims on evidence, and employs democratic processes.<\/p>\n
Teachers should empower students with the skills of dissent. These include raising awareness, forming persuasive arguments, building coalitions, and using critical thinking to challenge misinformation. Students should practice putting forward solutions that can be discussed and tested. Young people should be encouraged to imagine how life can be better in America as a way to build hope with their peers.<\/p>\n
It’s important that they realize how dissent and hope together can help strengthen U.S. democracy.<\/p>\n
This article was originally published on The Conversation<\/a>. Read the original article<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n