Running Head: ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP 1

Engaged Citizenship

Student’s name

Institutional affiliation

Course

Date
ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP 2

Option 1

The level of engaged citizens measures the health of any nation democracy. The

education sector is playing a crucial role in the ongoing debates on citizenship. They are

preparing grounds for young people to stand up and deliver to the society responsibly. Education

institutions, on the other hand, are expected to model young ones on how to become good

citizens by teaching them what it takes to become an active and engaged citizen (Banks, 2007). It

is essential to include opinions of young people when the federal and educators seek to foster

civil engagements in state maters. .the young generations are tomorrow’s leaders, and they will

not be in a position to make proper decisions if today their voices are left unheard and

unanswered. Regarding the movie stand and deliver, it well illustrates how the mathematics

teacher selflessly devoted himself to ensure that the students excel in their test (Stand and

Deliver, 2011). That what it takes to be an engaged citizen, dedicating oneself regardless of the

threats and accusation one faces for the success of others. The essay will offer a comparison of

the mathematics teacher role and engaged citizenship in connection to a real-life scenario.

Our growing diversity and increasing politics challenges Americans to understand what

civic citizenship looks like. American has evolved over the decades, so as citizenship. Many

argue that citizen only calls for obeying the state’s law and participating in political affairs

(Suspitsyna, 2012). However, that is too far away from being an engaged citizen. We all need to

create a new perspective on citizenship, uplifting each other and actively contributing to

political, social-economic and cultural affairs of the nation. As illustrated in the movie, stand and

deliver, we all need to devote ourselves to ensure that our country proper wholly. The progress

and achievements of our nation depend on the efforts each person offers. We cannot rely on

those in authorities to do developments for us solely; we need to stand up and deliver to the
ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP 3

community and nation in general. Citizens need to create hope for the nation whenever the nation

is in political anguish and anger. To give birth to a new America, the citizens have to bear the

pain and trying inputting something new in human history, create a multicultural democratic

republic. So that citizens can have the freedom and rights they deserve to govern themselves and

live in societies’ that recognize cultural diversities and democracy for all.

People opinions differ on what it takes to be an engaged citizen. According to Zaff et al.

(2010), one qualifies to become an engaged citizen when they contribute to the improvement of

others welfare and economic progress. For instance, the mathematics teachers actively

participated to ensure the called illiterate students make in calculus. He believes in his students’,

and he well knew that they only needed motivation, encouragement and proper teaching

techniques. As a citizen, one should ensure that all actions they take, they protect the nation and

contribute to national development. Everyone has equal rights to offers opinions on the

governing, whites and blacks, refugees and slaves (Suspitsyna, 2012). Each opinion matters; it is

what it takes to build fair, just and well-represented governance that addresses the needs of every

citizen. Therefore as citizens, it is important to stand up and voice out in one voice.

There is hope for nations with active and engaged citizens. Leaders alone cannot

effectively govern without help from citizens on decision making. Citizens need to work closely

with the government to have their problems and proposal heard and answered. Moreover,

citizens are expected to obey the laws of the land and actively participate in all state affairs.
ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP 4

References

Banks, J. A. (2007). Diversity and citizenship education: Global perspectives. Jossey-Bass, An

Imprint of Wiley. 10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46256.

Stand and Deliver, YouTube Movies, 2011

Suspitsyna, T. (2012). Higher education for economic advancement and engaged citizenship: An

analysis of the US Department of Education discourse. The Journal of Higher

Education, 83(1), 49-72.

Zaff, J., Boyd, M., Li, Y., Lerner, J. V., & Lerner, R. M. (2010). Active and engaged citizenship:

Multi-group and longitudinal factorial analysis of an integrated construct of civic

engagement. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(7), 736-750.