Gettin' My Word Out

Book excerpt: At a time when many adults criticize young people as being self-absorbed and apolitical, this book demonstrates, through research conducted with inner-city youth activists, the inaccuracy of this judgment. Working through nonformal activist organizations, Leonisa Ardizzone examines how youth activists respond to injustice, counteract violence, practice social responsibility, and form collaborative networks of individuals and organizations. These peace-builders embody the core values of peace education. They and their nonformal activist organizations model practices and methods that, if applied to formal education, would not only create more humane learning experiences for all, but would also reconfirm education as a catalyst and framework for personal and social transformation.