Justice in America: In our schools, on the streets, in our society

The NYCLU’s 2008 Freedom in Expression Contest

Click here for the flier (PDF). Click here for the entry form (PDF). Click here to enter online.

America is a country built on democratic values: justice, freedom, privacy, equality. Are we living up to those values? Where are we failing? How can we do a better job of protecting civil liberties? What can young people do to help our society deliver on the promise of freedom and justice for all?

We want to know what you think. The New York Civil Liberties Union is sponsoring its annual Freedom in Expression contest that asks youth to tell your stories, voice your opinions and speak out. Winners will receive cash prizes of up to $1,000.

So speak out. The subject is up to you, but some possible topics include:

• Justice in school
  • Police, school safety agents and metal detectors – do they make schools safer or detract from education?
  • Does sex ed belong in school?
  • Military recruiters in the hallways – providing possibilities or false promises?
  • Do schools do enough to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students in school?
  • And what about immigrant and non-English speaking students?
• Justice on the streets
  • Are the police colorblind?
  • Are the Rockefeller Drug Laws fair?
• Justice in our society
  • How should we respond to the treatment of detainees in Guantanamo Bay?
  • How should we hold our government accountable for torture?
  • How should our country respond to immigration and protect the rights of immigrants?

Then get creative. Write an essay, a song, a spoken word piece or a poem. Create a piece of art. Make a video or public service announcement. Sing or rhyme. Just express your views on an aspect of justice in America.

We’ll accept any of the following formats:

• An essay of up to 750 words
• A poem or spoken word piece up to 3 pages or 5 minutes long, submitted in writing, on CD/DVD or as an electronic audio file
• A poster, cartoon, painting, etc, designed with a computer or by hand, submitted by mail or electronically as a jpeg or pdf
• A video, song or public service announcement up to 5 minutes long submitted via an electronic link (such as YouTube) or on CD/DVD

How to enter:

The contest is open to all New York City youth younger than 20-years-old. Entries must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Fill out an entry form and mail it and your work to NYCLU Contest, 125 Broad St., New York NY 10004.

To enter online, click here.

Entries must be original (group entries accepted) and become the property of the NYCLU. The NYCLU will announce the winners of the contest by June 19, 2007. The contest is made possible by a grant from the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation.

If you have questions, call 212.607.3361 or email YouthWorkingGroup@nyclu.org.

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