Letters to the U.S. President: An Urban Youth Literary Civic Engagement Project

Letters to the U.S. President: An Urban Youth Literary Civic Engagement Project

Campus-Community Interactions, Policing, Social Justice

The recent events resulting in the shooting death of 15-year old Kiwane Carrington high lights the national tragedy of youth victims of violence. The national trend is increasing across U.S. urban centers. Recent national exposure of youth victim Derrion Albert in Chicago caused President Obama to send Representative Arne Duncan to help facilitate solutions. The significance of this project is that it provides a way for youth to take advantage of this historical moment in a very unique way. That is, the moment where a Black U.S. President is considering issues and making statements about youth victims of violence in Midwest cities. This moment can be profoundly affected by empowering youth to offer their unique, experienced, and informed perspectives in formal letters written to U.S. President Barak Obama, for consideration.

Ray Muhammad and Ruby Mendenhall

ca. November 2009

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