This unique book is divided into two sections. The first section highlights specific international youth activists, their biographies, work, and accomplishments. The second section is a collection of work by youth, who address their own activism, goals, identities, and needs. Commentaries by teachers, community workers, and facilitators compliment the entries, creating a unique, intergenerational and multi-faceted volume.
The book will serve to fill a gap in teacher education, highlighting and listening to youth, themselves, who, the editor, contends, should be intimately involved in their own education and futures. A new model for teacher education, this book allows teachers to understand that youth must have, and demand, a voice in the determination of their lives and futures. Previous work with youth tends to “deal with them” as a problem to be solved, a group to be managed. This book insists that youth are viable citizens and create a voice which is heard internationally.
Activists under 30 is the first book of its kind, to be addressed to youth, teachers, parents, and activists. It reminds us that youth are our most valuable resource, and insists we incorporate them, invite them, and listen to them.
Shirley R. Steinberg is an internationally known scholar, activist, and author. She is the founder of freireprojec.org, an on-line community devoted to Critical Cultural Community, Youth, and Media Activism. Her work is grounded in a critical pedagogical approach to social justice, equity, and human rights.
Introduction: Effecting Change, Making a Difference—Celebrating Youth Activism Shirley R. Steinberg
Part 1: Global Youth Activists
1 Abdel Rahman Alzorgan, Jordan: Saving Water in Jordan Revital Zilonka 2 Anoka Primrose Abeyrathne, Sri Lanka: The Generous Tree of Sri Lanka Revital Zilonka 3 Charlene Carruthers, US: African American Youth Activist Venus Evans-Winters 4 Luis Fernando Cruz, US: Activist for Differently Abled People Laura Mooney Interlude 1: Freedom Shannon Patrick Garrett, Jr. 5 Tavi Gevinson, US: Empowerment of Teenage Girls Miranda Campbell 6 Elba Hernandez, Guatamala: Let Girls Lead Lara Forsberg 7 Celia Ho, China: The Elephant Girl Tanya Merriman Interlude 2: Uncertainty Sarah Thirkell 8 Natividad Llanquileo, Chile: Speaking for Indigenous Political Prisoners Fernanda Soler-Urzúa & Michelle Harazny 9 Dylan Mahlingham, US: Social Enterprise and Web-Based Relief Initiatives Shirine Aouad 10 Kamilia Manaf, Indonesia: LGBTTIQ Rights Activism Rima Arthar 11 Tamer Shaaban, Saudi Arabia/Egypt: Human Rights Activism Hala Kamaliddin 12 Natsuno Shinagawa, Japan: Raising Awareness and Getting Involved Paul Chamness Miller 13 Specs & Veil, Canada: Film & Media Activism Kayf Abdulqadir, Fartousa Siyad, & Diane Watt 14 Matthew “Creeazn” Wood, Cree: First Nations Activism Diana Pearson & Shima Robinson
Part 2: Youth Voices
15 Notes on Part 2 Michael Holden 16 Occasion for Hope Sharon Friesen 17 Ten Hearts, One Thought: The Rant and Relate Team Asbah, Shivom, Simerta, Reeana, Sanjeevani, Sadia, Divjot, Puneet, & Avreet 18 Brunch Buddies: A Time for Students to Build Positive Cross-grade Relationships Bridgette, Ian, McKinley, Owen, Angela, Ethan, Michelle, & Peyton 19 Nelson Mandela High School and the #MandelaCares Project Laiba, Mariam, Hadia, Mansi, Jenny, Ms. Martin, Mr. Chee, & Mr. Sagriotis 20 The Future Will Be Found in Walking Together Sameer Harris & Alix Esterhuizen 21 It Maxwell Starko 22 Dear People My Age Andreea Alexandra Duica 23 “We Have to Listen to Our Kids, and Understand Where They’re Coming From” Interview with Karsen Black Water, & Shane Wells 24 “We’ve Been Here, and We’re Still Here, and We’re Still Going to Be Here for Thousands of Years” Interview with Students of Kanai High School: Karsen Black Water, Carley Shot Both Sides, Jordan Weasel Head, Keyshaun Mountain Horse, Kiara Blood, & Shane Wells
Afterword: My Story Assmaa Yassin
Teachers, students, professors, junior and high school libraries, graduate students, undergraduate students, activist organizations. Subjects: teacher education, creative writing, social studies.