Alyssa's Taking Action Post

Here is my post about how I took action with gay marriage.  I went on to the website Freedom to Marry (www.freedomtomary.org) 

On the website you can Join the Majority for Marriage Pledge, you can speak out and contact your legislator, you can join mayors in supporting marriage, and you can also donate money to the win more states fund.

Signing the pledge gave me a sense of accomplishment, and made me feel like I was giving back to  the community. I also like that most people in our class signed pledges for their group projects.

There are many democratic values that I feel contradict the ability for people to marry whoever they want to marry.  I found these Core Democratic Values and Beliefs definitions on (http://www.classroomhelp.com/lessons/cdv/cdv_definition.html)

Fundamental Beliefs

Life:

 A person's right to life can't be violated except if your life or the lives of others is threatened.

Liberty: 

This includes personal freedom, political freedom, and economic freedom. This is the freedom for people to gather in groups. They have their own beliefs, ideas and opinions. People also have the right to express their opinions in public.

Personal Freedom 

 the right to think and act without government control.

Political Freedom 

 the right to participate in political process.

Economic Freedom 

the right to buy, sell and trade private property and the right to employment without the government interfering.

The Pursuit of Happiness: 

As long as you don't interfere with others you have the right to seek happiness in your own way.

Common Good:

 Working together for the welfare of the community or the benefit of all.

Justice:

 All people should be treated fairly in both the benefits and the obligations of society. No individual or group should be favored over another person or group.

Equality:

 Everyone has the right to Political, Legal, Social and Economic Equality. Everyone has the right to the same treatment regardless of race, sex, religion, heritage, or economic status.

Diversity:

 The differences in culture, dress, language, heritage and religion are not just tolerated, but celebrated as a strength.

Truth:

 They should expect and demand that the government not lie to them and the government should disclose information to the people. The government and its people should not lie.

Popular Sovereignty: 

The power of the government comes from the people. The people are the ultimate authority over the government.

Patriotism: 

The people or citizens show a love and devotion for their country and the values. They can show this by words or by actions.

I think that in the classroom it is important to teach about equality and social justices.  Just like with any topic that you teach in the classroom as a teacher you need to make sure that you are teaching age appropriate/ and grade appropriate material. The classroom is where children learn most of their knowledge, from social issues to basic arithmetic. They learn a lot from each other and other opinions as well as from what the teacher is teaching. If teachers teach social justice appropriately in the classroom it will help the students to grow up and use there knowledge effectively.