On September 28, 2010 I had the privilege of helping to moderate a unique civic education program at Hickman High School in Columbia Missouri — the “Speak Your Mind” forum. This program, now in its 21st year, allows students to hear from, and then discuss controversial topics with, community members. The students choose the topic, the school helps to assemble a volunteer panel from the community, and students come both listen and then share their views and questions. The program on September 28 focused on the proposed building of an Islamic center near ground zero in New York City. About 150 students attended, listened respectfully and shared thoughtfully and honestly. George Frissell, a teacher at the school and adviser to the program, summed up the purpose of the program: “It’s a very important goal to teach people to have civil discourse, that we can choose to disagree and people of good will can discuss the issue in the right way.” It was an inspiring evening - civil discourse, civic education, inter-generational sharing, attentive and thoughtful youth. This could, and should, be a model for our country.
