Since I was first assigned to start writing this Civics column, I have often found that the “civics” information I attempt to share falls in line with current events.
When I write about the importance of participating in elections because it’s our “civic duty,” I always tie that conversation into the current primary or general election. When I share information about the critical role block captains, ward leaders, and committee people play, that’s teaching a civics lesson. Tossing out questions that people who take the exam to become a citizen of the United States must answer (and wondering if we who are already citizens” know the answers is another lesson in Civics 101. Examining how laws are made and how some get erased is another civics lesson.
These are all subjects I’ve been writing about since my first Civics column, and guess what? I am loving it. Little did I know almost 3-years ago, when I first started writing this column, that I would get so much enjoyment out of doing it. In some cases, I am refreshing my memory as I write different angels about “civics” each week. In other instances, I’m learning some things for the first time.
There’s seldom a week that I have to sit back and wonder what am I going to write about for my Civics column. So much is going on, and a lot of it is related to what we as American citizens can do, what we can’t do, laws that are on the books and why they’re there, and other laws on the books that some lawmakers want to be wiped away, etc.
This week three news stories definitely connect to civics, and I plan to write about all three subjects, just not all at once. The Democratic City Committee recently held it’s Ward Elections, and there are something like 10 or 12 new Ward Leaders in Philadelphia. Do you know how hard it is to become a Ward Leader? It seems like it’s almost as hard as running for Mayor (on a smaller scale). For a non-paid elected position, Ward Leader is one of those titles that is hotly contested. I’ll write about Ward Leaders next week.
Another subject I plan to write about under the Civics 101 column is, How Pennsylvania Puts Racial Equity into Redistricting — Maps Reflect State’s Growing Diversity.
**********
Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “CIVICS 101”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
