Reading and Writing Workshop: Introduction to Social Justice Through Literature
Objective:
Participants will explore foundational ideas of social justice through public domain works, engaging in close reading, discussion, and creative writing.
Materials:

• Selected public domain texts (linked below)
• Paper or digital writing tools
• Reflection prompts

1. Mini-Lesson: Understanding Social Justice Through Literature
Discussion Prompt:

• What does social justice mean to you?
• How can literature shape social movements?

Key Themes in Social Justice Literature:

• Inequality & Rights
• Race & Identity
• Gender & Class Struggles
• Resistance & Activism

Short Readings (Public Domain Texts):

1. The Souls of Black Folk (1903) – W.E.B. Du Bois
   • Theme: Race and the "double-consciousness" of African Americans.
2. Ain’t I a Woman? (1851) – Sojourner Truth
   • Theme: Intersectionality of race and gender in justice movements.
3. The Declaration of Sentiments (1848) – Elizabeth Cady Stanton
   • Theme: Women’s rights and social equality.
4. Civil Disobedience (1849) – Henry David Thoreau
   • Theme: The moral responsibility to resist unjust laws.
5. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) – Frederick Douglass
   • Theme: Slavery, literacy, and the power of self-liberation.
6. The Communist Manifesto (1848) – Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
   • Theme: Class struggle and economic justice.

Guided Reading:

• Participants read excerpts and annotate sections that resonate with modern social justice issues.
• Share initial thoughts in small groups.

2. Workshop: Writing for Social Justice
Activity 1: Personal Reflection Prompt

• Choose a quote from one of the readings that resonates with you.
• Write a short response connecting it to modern struggles (e.g., racial justice, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, climate activism).

Activity 2: Creative Writing Prompt

• Option 1: Write a letter (inspired by The Souls of Black Folk or Civil Disobedience) addressing a current social justice issue.
• Option 2: Write a poem or spoken word piece responding to Ain’t I a Woman? or The Declaration of Sentiments.
• Option 3: Craft a fictional scene where a historical figure from one of the readings meets a modern activist.

3. Reflection & Sharing
​Group Discussion:

• How do the themes in these historical texts connect to today?
• What social justice movements today mirror the struggles in these works?
• How did writing help you process these issues?

Exit Ticket (Short Writing Response):

• One idea from today that challenged your thinking.
• One question you still have about social justice and literature.

This workshop provides direct access to public domain texts, allowing participants to engage critically and creatively with social justice themes.