Democracy and Community
Students brainstorm different definitions of democracy and consider democracy's relationship to their own communities and cultures.
Quotations on Democracy in South Africa (set 1)
Reflect on quotes from South Africans about how the country's history informs its democracy.
![Nelson Mandela standing outdoors during daytime surrounded by 4 other people.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/nelson_mandela_2000_library_london_school_economics_political_science_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=61d820be&itok=_5FNcPJY)
Quotations on Democracy in South Africa (set 2)
Consider quotes from South Africans about the nature of democracy and what makes it work.
![A voter places a ballot into a clear ballot box.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/election_rama_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=a1e1a043&itok=5Zm5zdcU)
The Republic of Imagination (excerpt)
Author Azar Nafisi discusses the roles of literature and imagination in both repressive states and democracies.
What Is Democracy?
Use this selection of quotes about democracy to prompt reflection on democracy's complex definition.
![English language newspaper from election day with an "I voted" sticker.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/media_democracy_newspaper_voting_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=424dc15a&itok=URCrHs-G)
What Is Democracy? (en español)
Use this selection of quotes about democracy to prompt reflection on democracy's complex definition.
![English language newspaper from election day with an "I voted" sticker.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/media_democracy_newspaper_voting_wikimedia_commons.jpeg?h=424dc15a&itok=URCrHs-G)
What Is Interfaith Leadership? by Eboo Patel
Read the introduction to Eboo Patel’s new book in which he shares a powerful example of interfaith leadership in a rural Oklahoma community.
Names and Freedom
Historians Douglas Egerton and Leon Litwack explain the process of freedpeople adopting new surnames.
![A group of African Americans soberly observe Juneteenth in their hats, canes and bonnets in Austin, TX, 1900.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Emancipation_Day_celebration_-_1900-06-19%20%281%29.jpg?h=6ea8326e&itok=2mUmYjCx)
Names and Freedom (en español)
In Spanish, historians Douglas Egerton and Leon Litwack explain the process of freedpeople adopting new surnames.
![A group of African Americans soberly observe Juneteenth in their hats, canes and bonnets in Austin, TX, 1900.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Emancipation_Day_celebration_-_1900-06-19%20%281%29.jpg?h=6ea8326e&itok=2mUmYjCx)
Immigrants: First Generation
Nigerian-born poet Ijeoma Umebinyuo pays tribute to the stories of immigrants and the lives they lead in the United States in this "prose poem."
![High school student participates in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2017_FacH07163_FH256119.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=o5SHUUZF)
Immigrants: First Generation
Read in Spanish as Nigerian-born poet Ijeoma Umebinyuo pays tribute to the stories of immigrants and the lives they lead in the United States in this "prose poem."
![High school student participates in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2017_FacH07163_FH256119.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=o5SHUUZF)