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Countdown to Election Day 2024 is an interactive guide designed to prepare youth & families for this year's election.
Why is it so important to vote and involve the whole family?
Elections ensure that a government is chosen by the people, for the people. Research shows that when kids & families are involved in elections together kids are much more likely to vote as adults and adults are more likely to show up to the polls. AND North Carolina benefits by having more engaged citizens now and in the future.
This week:
CIVIC CELEBRATIONS: learn about Juneteenth and other civic celebrations and create your own!
P.S. Don't forget to share this info with your friends and family.
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Juneteenth is a National Civic Holiday that was 167 years in the making |
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Juneteenth, marked on June 19th, celebraties the liberation & freedom of enslaved Black people in the United States. Juneteenth's journey from a local Texas celebration to a federal holiday highlights the importance of acknowledging and commemorating pivotal moments in American history and the role that engaged citizens play in creating and defining civic celebrations for our communities and nation.
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"Nobody's free until everybody's free".
Fannie Lou Hammer, voting and civic rights activist
"Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation".
Coretta Scott King, author, activist, & Civil Rights leader
"If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. But we need to know, you can't erase history. So, let's learn from it and be darned sure it doesn't happen again".
Opal Lee, Educator & Activist known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" |
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Make some time during dinner, car rides, or at special family time to slow down and discuss the following points below.
- How would you say Fannie Lou Hamer, Coretta Scott King, or Opal Lee's quote in your own words? How to these quotes resonate with or differ from your own experience? (Find more questions and activities for this quote in our Civic Quote Walk activity)
- Discuss how each of generation has contributed to earning and winning freedom for everyone.
- How does your family celebrate Juneteenth?
- What civic events, people, ideas, or values do you think should have their own holiday or celebration (see the activity in
Doing Democracy below)?
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Get engaged with civic celebrations these fun activities! |
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Explore more about Juneteenth, its history, and its celebration:
Track candidates and their stances: The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission has a lot of great resources about Juneteenth in North Carolina including a video about the history and importance of this holiday in NC. The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great Juneteenth Digital toolkit to help you explore the holiday and information on how to Understand and Celebration Juneteenth with Kids.
Check out other civic celebrations throughout our state and country.
Design your own civic celebration. What do you think we should celebrate about our community, our democracy, or our history? Kids Voting makes it easy with their Civic Celebration of Your Own Creation guide and graphic organizer.. There are even directions for how you can ask your local or state government to recognize your creation!
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Youth are our future NOW! |
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In 2022 & 2023, Durham 4-H youth made Election Day a celebration for youth and families. They host a big Election Day party that includes Kids Voting elections, make your own I Voted button activity, an I Voted selfie booth, and more!
Want to know how you can get involved in hosting Kids Voting this year? Contact us!
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Kids Voting Durham & Kids Voting North Carolina are programs of the Durham County Cooperative Extension. |
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