Malcolm Kenyatta said he recently felt like he was experiencing scenarios similar to the ones on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” in which correspondents interview people on the streets about topics such as whether they prefer Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act.
People would answer the question, not realizing they were the exact same thing. Kenyatta said he wanted to bring more awareness to citizens in the region with a new monthly program.
“I don’t think we can keep thinking that our government is going to be on autopilot,” the gay 26-year-old said. “We, as citizens, have a really important role and that role is to be engaged, educated and informed. That’s what Civic Saturdays is all about.”
With this program, Kenyatta and other guest speakers will teach attendees about the basics of government.
“That is something that a lot of folks get in eighth grade, probably, and then never think about again,” Kenyatta said.
The first Civic Saturdays session on March 11 will focus on the separation of powers. Kenyatta said people often think President Donald Trump has unlimited authority, and he hopes the first workshop will illustrate otherwise.
“He doesn’t have unlimited power or government,” Kenyatta said. “We’re set up with checks and balances and that’s what we’re going to talk about deeply on March 11 to give folks an understanding of that. Hopefully people will feel a little bit better knowing that there are some checks and restraints on what he can do.”
Kenyatta said this session will feature varying types of educational tools; he will be using lecture, videos and simulations in which attendees can act out scenarios relating to the lesson.
“Regardless of how you learn, I think we’re going to try and do all of those different forms of educating,” Kenyatta said. “We’re really going to use all of those mediums.”
The Civic Saturdays in April will focus on the Bill of Rights. Kenyatta said future sessions will include guest speakers who will address their areas of expertise.
While Kenyatta said he is also envisioning a lesson on how laws are made, he is also relying on audience feedback to determine future Civic Saturdays topics.
“The separation of powers and the Bill of Rights are really basic and those are good foundational lessons but I want to be responsive to the people that are attending and provide the content that they want to hear about,” Kenyatta said.
He noted that the community needs to be educated in order to make informed discussions.
“I want people to be able to say, ‘Hey Donald Trump, what you’re doing is horrible and here is why. [It’s] not just because it makes me not feel good but you are violating the Constitution,’” Kenyatta said. “It’s important to give folks language and to really take this thing and break it down in a way that people can get and understand.”
The first session, Civic Saturdays: Divided Government will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 11 at the Berean Presbyterian Church, 2101 N. Broad St. Participants can register for free on Eventbrite (http://bit.ly/2mwFf1U) and they will receive email updates for future Civic Saturdays.
The event will stream live at www.facebook.com/Unleashing-North-Philly-1068050066549838/.