Introduction
In contemporary society, the manifestations of civic and community responsibility play a vital role in developing a prosperous and just community. As individuals, we are responsible for knowing and realizing those values to become a part of the socially oriented improvement. The goal of this paper is to explore my personal definition of civic and community responsibility by answering some questions using my class activities and the readings.
What does it mean to be an effective citizen in our society, and why is active citizenship particularly important in society?
Based on the discussions and readings in class, I define an effective citizen as one who takes part in civic matters observes rights, and improves community welfare (Skendall, 2017). Active citizenship is significant for an operating democracy; thus, the government is answerable, society is cooperative, social issues are addressed, and strong communities are built. Through enlightened choices, favouring to effect and boosting inclusiveness, active citizens uphold democratic principles that build peaceful societies. This endorsement helps to build strong democratic governance, ensure social equality, and create a feeling of bonding and empowerment within groups.
What does it mean to be a civically engaged leader?
A visionary leader composed of socially responsible and community-centred traits is considered a civically engaged leader, according to the class readings (Skendall, 2017). This is typically through his or her direct engagement in local politics and pushing for fairer policies that benefit communities. Such leaders focus on collaboration and dialogue, aim to make low-income communities more audible and discuss general structural unfairness. These actions set forth ethical leadership and collective purpose concerning well-being, which ignites others to engage in civil society and social progress. Through his or her acts, the civically engaged leader becomes the vehicle that drives communities to become stronger and more resilient, where unity and the right principles are the core anchor.
What does ethical community leadership look like? How does this compare to unethical community leadership?
Ethical community leadership illustrated in the class readings involves honesty, transparency, and the common good of community prosperity (Rebolledo,2023). Ethical leaders emphasize equality, inclusion, and responsibility, to maintain trust and harmony in the community. They are responsible for upholding moral standards and values, acting with humility and modesty, and giving preference to the poor and disadvantaged first. On the other hand, unethical community leadership can be reflected through selfishness, corruption and exploitation. Unethical leaders do not concern themselves with the public good but want to increase their wealth by using shady schemes and keeping inequalities. Such strategies are detrimental to trust, discord-sowing and tearing asunder the fabric of community cohesion and the progress made.
Who would you consider examples of civically and/or community-engaged leaders, and why do they fit that mould?
The examples of civilly and community-engaged leaders from the texts read in class include individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg and Bryan Stevenson (Museus et al.,2017). These leaders fit that mould because they embody active citizenship as they struggle with all of their might to promote social causes, community mobilization, and representation of disadvantaged and disenfranchised groups. They act as visionary leaders, motivate others to action, and make a difference by treating everyone equally and with humanity. Their unshakable will for justice, equality, and brotherhood is the match that ignites the society and becomes the basis of the democratic behaviour and values of citizens. Such individuals embody the values of empathy, integrity, and resiliency and are the leading examples for those who want to become leaders.
How are you already an engaged citizen and community leader?
Being an active citizen and a community leader, I get involved in local initiatives, volunteer programs and awareness campaigns aiming to tackle social problems. I volunteer my time and skills to community service projects, advocate for the underprivileged, and foster respect towards diversity through different forums. In addition, I engage with community members to discover their needs and concerns and join hands with stakeholders to implement the solutions. By participating in civic associations and grassroots efforts, I strive to enact beneficial change, build solidarity, and encourage people to become catalysts of social change. My civic involvement illustrates my belief that collaboration is the key to achieving a more just and equitable society.
How do you plan to be an engaged citizen and community leader after completion of this course?
Once I graduate from this course, I will definitely increase my participation level as a citizen and community leader by integrating what I have learned to address current social issues. I intend to engage with the local community by working alongside them and implementing my new knowledge of civic responsibility to make a real difference. Through the provision of avenues for networking, the support of marginalized groups and the application of eco-friendly approaches, I aspire to aid in the progress of social justice and equity. On top of that, I will remain committed to expanding my scope of knowledge about prominent issues, having dialogues with different views, and motivating people to unite with us in the fight for an enhanced society that is both inclusive and equal.
Conclusion
Finally, throughout our exploration of civic and community responsibility, we demonstrated that the power of active citizenship and ethical leadership lies in the potential to bring about transformation. Through our classes’ diverse and inspiring content, we can face the challenges and possibilities of building inclusive towns head-on. With constant evaluation and implementation, all of us can actively take part in creating a society that is just, fair, and compassionate for everybody.
References
Museus, S., Lee, N. L., Calhoun, K., Sánchez-Parkinson, L., & Ting, M. (2017). Umich. https://lsa.umich.edu/content/dam/ncid-assets/ncid-documents/publications/Museus et al (2017) SALT Model Brief.pdf
Skendall, K. C. (2017). An overview of the social change model of leadership development. Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of leadership development, 17-40.
Rebolledo, M. (2023, April 20). Iris Marion Young’s five faces of oppression. Critical Legal Thinking. https://criticallegalthinking.com/2023/04/24/iris-marion-youngs-five-faces-of-oppression/
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