If you’re just get started on your path to becoming an engaged citizen, you may be realizing there have been some gaps in your education when it comes to important current events and political issues. Civic engagement, or addressing issues of public concern at the civilian level, is important for affecting change, and we are more empowered to make changes if we are well-educated on the issues.
Why? This is because there are many roadblocks and bumps on the road to civic engagement and truly affecting change, and a better map of the issue can help you chart a successful course and find detours when you get stopped. Perhaps you and your friends are in protest of your town’s new proposed housing project, which would displace low-income families already in the area. To begin to tackle the issue, you’ll need all of the information you can possibly gather about the situation, and you’ll need to learn the most effective channels for getting your voice heard. Maybe circulating a petition and presenting it to your town council would be most effective. Or perhaps you find that petitions are generally ignored, so you want to gather some community members to speak at the next town hall meeting.
Whatever the case, some self-learning is almost always necessary when it comes to affecting change and organizing on the ground. Here are some concrete strategies you can employ when it comes to self-learning to prep for civic engagement:
Use the Web. The Internet provides a wealth of information at your fingertips–the pinnacle of self-learning. Use social media to follow political organizations and other community groups in your area, and stay up to date on the issues they’re talking about. Social media can also provide a great resource for crowdsourcing opinions and personal stories on issues affecting individuals in your community. And don’t be afraid to contact people with questions. People use social media to connect, so they’re generally happy to answer even naive questions. Most are conscious of keeping their posts brief and are happy to share more with you including more of their favorite links.
Stay up to date on current events. Aim to read or scan not just one but multiple newspapers every day. This is because some news outlets frame issues in different ways than others, depending on their editorial staff and the journalists working there. It’s likely that any given media outlet will have a bit of bias and will give you only one perspective on an issue. Be sure to include alternative and independent sources–like blogs or other little-known publications–to get a full story.
Do historical research. The saying goes that if we don’t learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat it. History is an important element to consider when tackling modern-day civilian issues. You can research at your local library as well as on the web. Scour books and old newspapers if you have to–anything that will help you to gain added insight into your issue. Ask yourself: does the issue have a history? How was it tackled in the past? Who organized? What did they do? Was it effective?
Talk to people. Don’t be afraid to talk to experts on the issue for guidance on how to tackle it. Contact professors at your community college, talk to industry professionals, everyday citizens–anyone who can help you to get the full story and a broad perspective on your cause or issue. You can also post a question to your online networks asking “Who has expertise?” Often you’ll find you already know people with interesting knowledge and perspectives who are happy to give you the benefit of their investigations.
Checking out the issues on PeopleCount.org. We already mentioned that media outlets can often give only one perspective on an issue–often one that’s very slanted. PeopleCount.org’s political profiles will let you consider many different facets of an issue, showing you an array of solutions. Check our website for insight on your important issues for the full picture before you take action.
Self-learning is an important aspect of civic engagement. Remember: knowledge is power, and ensuring you have the full story can be the key to affecting real change in your community.
(Photo courtesy Kevin H., Flickr)