I will test the graciousness of the list to comment on a topic that is, at best,
minimally a "Minneapolis" topic.
While I can understand the sentiment that Annie has in hoping that people will have a
basic understanding of democratic government and what their vote means to our
democratic government, I think there is a great potential danger in advocating that
one must have "knowledge" before being granted the right to vote.
This danger is, of course, in trying to decide who is vested with the power of
determining who is "knowledgeable" enough to vote. Unfortunately in American history,
literacy tests were used. A "civics" test borders on a similar potential problem.
Regardless of good intent, tests such as these have the too real danger of limiting
access to only those with privilege or power.
I would contend that too many Americans have fought and died on the belief that
democratic government means that all have the unfettered potential to participate,
even if that means forsaking the comforting thought of having only "knowledgeable"
people participating (to whatever extent that is a comforting thought).
Gary Bowman
Ward 1- Audubon Park
On Sat, 10 March 2001, Annie Young wrote:
>
> I also remember hearing once upon a time that the immigrants who do become
> citizens know a lot more about Civics 101 and the Constitution and the
> Declaration of Independence, etc. than the average American citizen.
> Although, I want them to participate in our neighborhood organizations and
> associations and other civic life in our communities much opre than they
> do, I believe people really need to understand their options and what they
> are doing on election day. Some type of civics education needs to go along
> with that right to vote.
> I'd like to know more about how it works in the cities that are tyring it
> and how they go about doing the education part of why one votes and what
> you are voting for?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Annie Young
> Ward 6 - East Phillips in Minneapolis
> Citywide at-large Park Board Commissioner
> Working to build a sustainable community
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