SHOULD WE LOWER THE VOTING AGE?
The current voting age in the United States is 18. Do you think younger Americans should be able to vote?
THE POWER OF WORDS
Be Able to Handle Discrimination
BACKGROUND
The Conversation finds in November of 2019 that "Slurs offend young adults more than swearing."
RECOGNITION
Learning for Justice teaches how to properly recognize and address discrimination.
TAKE ACTION
Learning for Justice explains how to peacefully and properly stand up against discrimination.
This abbreviation is the term used to describe the community of people who do not identify as straight or cisgendered. Sometimes it is described with more or less letters, but most often is seen with five or seven letters followed by a "+" to signify the inclusion of all people. The letters, in order, stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. To learn more, visit the UC Davis LGBTQIA resource center glossary. To view more commonly used terms in today's political climate, visit our Politictionary.
LGBTQIA+ Community
THE STATE OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY
A National Public Opinion Study from The Center for American Progress
The Center for American Progress, in conjunction with the independent and nonpartisan research group NORC at the University of Chicago, conducted one of the most comprehensive surveys exploring the lives of LGBTQ Americans. The article (below), published in October of 2020, analyzes the study.
HOW SHOULD TRANS ATHLETES COMPETE?
One of the biggest political discussions regarding the LGBTQIA+ community today is about where transgender people should compete in athletics. Look at the links below to learn more!
"Explainer: Why do dozens of U.S. states want to ban transgender women from sport?"
The Reuters article linked below from March of 2021 explains how many states are pushing to restrict trans athletes. The article touches upon what's at stake, why it's happening now, and current policies. It illustrates how civil rights activists and scientists are responding to the conflict.
"A Federal Appeals Court Will Decide if Trans Students Can Continue to Play School Sports" and "NCAA: Tell Idaho, Trans Athletes Belong"
The American Civil Liberties Union reports in May of 2021 on continuing discussions in Idaho, where last summer Idaho bans on trans student athletes were ruled by a federal court to be backed by no evidence. Track the development at the article at left and sign the petition at the link below.
ABORTION
Abortion is often an issue that divides Americans for any number of moral, personal, and scientific reasons. Click the link below at left to find a list of pros and cons for legalized abortions, and the one at right to see what action is being taken now.
WAGE GAP
There is a gap between the amount women make versus the amount that men make in the United States. Check out the Center for American Progress at right, where in March of 2020 they published some quick facts about the gender wage gap. For a more in-depth analysis, click the link below where Forbes explains "Unequal Pay, Unconscious Bias, And What To Do About It" in April fo 2018.
WHAT WILL CLOSE THE CLASS GAP?
IDEA 2: UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME
Check out arguments for and agains UBI summarized by ProCon in the February 2021 article below.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF THE ECONOMY
U.S. FOREIGN AID
IMPORTANCE
Is American foreign aid worth defending?
The Brookings article from September 2019 linked below explains why some consider US foreign aid is important, and "worth defending now more than ever."
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
What USAID has done in foreign assistance.
"The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance."
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION
America claims to be the land of the free, but is it really open to all?
Conversely, are people taking advantage of lenient border restrictions?
Learn more about U.S. Immigration and illegal immigration below!
MANDATORY SERVICE
Many countries have had mandatory military service.
Some consider it patriotic, some consider it unjust. Where do you fall?
TAKE YOUR SIDE
Below is a ProCon article listing the primary arguments for and against mandatory national service.