Clayton State University,
The New York Times, and the Southeast Region of the National Archives hosts an annual Student Research Conference on Civic Engagement at the Southeastern National Archive Building in Morrow Georgia.
This year I had the very special honor of being their keynote speaker. Before I spoke I had the opportunity to look over several of the student created posters that were designed to begin conversations about various social issues that have faced or are facing Georgians. I was impressed with the political analysis that obviously went into each poster.
I started my talk with a quick civic engagement exercise in which each member of the audience called a member of the Georgia House or Senate to lobby on in support of the
Student Parent Privacy Act and students were extremely receptive. Many said that it was the first time they had ever called their representatives. The rest of the talk I gave focused on how my personal narrative has pushed me into the work I do now.
I was excited to get to stick around afterwords and learn about some of the students personal narratives and how those narratives move them to work to create the community they want to see. With the loss of their public transit system, radical education budget cuts in K-12, and Governor Deals HOPE dismantling, Clayton county certainly need more grassroots civic engagement.
Special Thanks to Carrie Martin Henderson for inviting me out to speak and all the great work she does!
Tim Franzen
American Friends Service Committee
As I listened to the honorable Rev. Fred Taylor speaking at
last night’s Clayton County stop for the Moral Monday Tour I was inspired. It
was a perfect match; an iconic leader who has embraced the ideal of being
jailed for justice 28 times, addressing a location that is struggling with so
many of the injustices Moral Monday has rallied against. When we stepped into
Clayton County for the 2nd in a 16 day tour around the state it was
not about just sharing out stories. It was not just about hearing of our actions
of the past, it was about what we need right now. It was about the problems
facing Clayton County and the offering of hope. Hope that when we come together
over the issues that are facing our communities we will win because that is
what Moral Monday is. It is the hope for a better Georgia and the reality that
we can make it happen together. 
As we discussed the Moral Monday platform it was clear that
it was resonating with the crowd, our platform was built from the struggles
that are facing everyday Georgians because that is what we are. We are everyday
Georgians who have decided to raise their voices and speak out against the many
injustices that are facing our neighborhoods and state. Our stop in Clayton
County was just the beginning of a conversation. How can we work together to
bring change? Moral Monday could be the answer. 
As we move into the rest of the tour I eagerly anticipate
the continued stories, struggles, and excitement that has already been shared
on the Jailed for Justice Tour. This tour is not just about us telling our
stories. It is about building hope, building community, and committing
ourselves to making the changes we know the people of Georgia deserve. It is
about building a powerful movement and to do that we need to have our voices
heard. The Jailed for Justice Tour has given us the opportunity to speak out
and have our voices heard, and now it’s your turn. Join us on August 23rdat 10am when people from all over the state converge on the capital to tell our
elected officials it is time to put people over politics. Don’t miss this
opportunity to raise our voices in unison!
