Edited from commentary By: JANICE ELLIS https://missouriindependent.com MARCH 11, 2024, 5:50 AM
There is an urgent need to make civic education available in our schools and community to help protect and strengthen our republic and its democratic form of government. Civic learning and participation should be a priority in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and nationwide.
Civic Learning Week, has been set aside to emphasize the importance of every citizen having the necessary understanding and tools to engage and participate in our democratic form of government. Given the state of our current political environment and the destructive discourse that has commandeered our public dialogue, civic learning is needed more than ever. Events and forums and an array of civic education topics are being held in communities all across the country. Topics covering how our government works, providing forums to better understand the Constitution, and the important role each branch of government plays in protecting and promoting a democratic republic.
It is abundantly clear that the well-being of our democratic republic depends on an informed and engaged citizenry. But unfortunately, fewer than half of adults in the U.S. can name the three branches of government, and can explain how they provide checks and balances in determining public policy and the enforcement of laws.
Too many of us rely upon and receive our knowledge through news broadcasts, podcasts, or radio and TV talk shows, which at best, if accurate, can provide only glimpses and snatches of what really needs to be thoroughly understood. The number of Americans who understands the facts and rights contained in the U.S. Constitution is just as dismal.
Currently, our principles, laws, branches of government and institutions are vulnerable to being ignored and undermined because of civic illiteracy.
Missourians, did you know there is a bill moving through the Missouri Legislature right now, if passed, will change how the Missouri Constitution can be amended? Are you familiar with and understand what the Missouri Constitution says?
Civic illiteracy is feeding an epidemic of mistrust.
Trust in our government and institutions is at an all-time low. How can we expect to build trust in our laws and institutions without an understanding of them? How can we expect citizens to distinguish between patriotism and insurrection, civility, and extremism without an accurate frame of reference that a solid civic education provides?
It is up to us to stop the threat of civic ignorance and the danger it puts our democracy in. Eliminating the threat begins with us, and we must prepare our children with the necessary tools to keep the threat at bay. As we continue to be engulfed in divisiveness and polarization, without civic education in America’s schools and a lack of access to high quality information, our citizens are left without the wherewithal to know how our government should work.
Therefore, we as citizens are vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation and may be unable to make a decision in the best interest of ourselves, city, state, or the nation. We can begin that process of improving and strengthening our own civic muscle by exploring and taking advantage of programs and resources that address civic education, and keep the learning process going long afterward.
Just as importantly, we should be concerned about the level and quality of civic education we are providing our children. Are we preparing them to understand our government and how it should work? If not, how can we expect them to stand and fight for something they have limited or no knowledge of? How could we expect them to be passionate and effective participants when it comes to building a more perfect union?
We only have to tune in on any given day to the political discourse occurring in our country and know that a sustained old-time civic education revival is sorely needed if we ever expect to engender the pride, the belief, and the will to do what is necessary to save and preserve our democratic republic.
The Missouri Civic Learning Coalition is one of many coalitions across the country that have been formed specifically to advance and support high quality civic learning opportunities. In addition to helping fellow Missourians understand the meaning and importance of civics, the coalition provides support and resources for schools and teachers.
