February 1, 2012
I don’t know about you, but when I was in high school, I was not focused on working hard to change state laws (well, with the exception of speed limits, perhaps. But if so, it was only for the most selfish of reasons). I may have taken an academic interest in the broader theoretical issues of the public good, but school was not the place where action was encouraged, not to mention expected.
I met this week with students from Ms. Conway’s Public Policy class who are doing just that. Audrey Berdahl-Baldwin, Sydney Eberwein, Louise Edwards, and Annette Eneanya would like to see changes to a law that has to do with Minnesota state requirements regarding bullying prevention in schools. Their efforts spring from a belief that Minnesota can do better in this arena, and that hundreds of thousands of children stand to be the beneficiaries of the work they are doing. As a pure expression of good character, it’s hard to think of a better example.
Several important things are going on here. The class requires that they work in teams and identify an issue they care about, then develop an implementation plan to effect needed change. The plan must actually have the potential for succeeding, so it has to be designed thoughtfully. Eradicating bullying nationwide, for example, would be a laudable but quixotic goal. Focusing on their state’s current bullying prevention law, however, is a far more practical application of their zeal to change the culture. As they cite from their research, “13 percent of Minnesota 6th, 9th, and 12th graders are bullied regularly, once a week or more.” (For more information on MPA’s approach to bullying, click here.)
Another important lesson for these students is that they actually can change the world for the better. After this kind of experience, you know first hand that you can make a difference if you put your mind to it. And, of course, if you have the tools to do it – good communication skills, an ability to analyze a problem and develop an array of possible solutions, a good sense of your group’s ability to get things done, and the determination to work together to see it through.
Now, I promised these committed students that I would help promote an event they are organizing. Students Demanding Change (SDC) is organizing a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol to promote stronger bullying prevention at noon on February 11, 2012. For more information, email studentsdemandingchange@gmail.com or visit their Facebook event page. Please consider helping them in their efforts to make the world a better place!
