Although we may not have created unjust systems, we have a responsibility to disrupt such systems of oppression through action.
In this unit, you will learn about different ways people work to make society just and help young people do the same. Even though we might not have made unfair systems, it is our obligation to change them with our actions. By standing up for ourselves and others and working with local groups, we can address these problems together.
Some of the content in this curriculum includes topics that could be uncomfortable for some. As you engage with this content, we encourage you to take care of yourself in whatever way works for you.
This unit aligns with the following standards and concepts:
Learning For Justice
- Action 17: Students will recognize their own responsibility to stand up to exclusion, prejudice and injustice.
- Action 18: Students will speak up with courage and respect when they or someone else has been hurt or wronged by bias.
- Action 19: Students will make principled decisions about when and how to take a stand against bias and injustice in their everyday lives and will do so despite negative peer or group pressure.
- Action 20: Students will plan and carry out collective action against bias and injustice in the world and will evaluate what strategies are most effective.
Critical Consciousness
Critical Action: Refers to individual or collective action taken to change aspects of society, such as institutional policies and practices, which are perceived to be unjust. This is a broad view of activism that includes participation in activities such as voting, community organizing, and peaceful protests.
CASEL 5 Social Emotional Learning Competencies (Equity Elaborated)
Responsible Decision-Making: Requires the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make caring, constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse settings. It requires the ability to critically examine ethical standards, safety concerns, and behavioral norms for risky behavior; to make realistic evaluations of consequences of various interpersonal and institutional actions; and to take the health and well-being of self and others into consideration.