The Declaration of Independence acknowledg es a most volatile right: the people's right to rebel. If the people are n ot happy with their government\, then it is within their unalienable right s to "alter and abolish it." In 1776\, that right was exercised through ar med rebellion. But is that the only way to exercise that right?
\nIn 1963\, John Lewis envisioned a different sort of revolution\, one that wo uld achieve the ends of freedom and liberty through non-violent means. In this "unfinished revolution\," he argued\, current enemies are seen as fut ure friends. In this program\, Meg Mott will consider how the language of the Declaration guides social movements\, \;across the political spect rum\, to institute a government that seems \;most likely to protect ea ch other's unalienable rights.
\nAbout the Presenter: \;
\nAfter thirty years of teaching political theory and cons titutional law to undergraduates\, Meg Mott has taken her love of argument to the general public. Her award-winning series Debating Our Rights on th e first ten amendments brings civil discussions on contentious issues to p ublic libraries and civic associations. She and Ana Voci are the creators of \;Free Speech for Middle Schoolers\, \;a curriculum that teache s constitutional reasoning through real world classroom controversies.
\nWhat the Declaration of Independence Offers U.S. Social Movem ents is presented in partnership with the \;Monadnock Center for Histo ry and Culture\, one of six collaborative programs planned for 2026. \ ; This program has been funded through a generous grant from \;NH Huma nities.
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