Overview: Teaching youth to write for justice
Columnist Dr. Artika R. Tyner interviews youth advocate Amir Abdullahi to highlight the historic leadership of Robert S. Abbott, founder of The Chicago Defender. The feature outlines practical strategies for "First Educators," parents and caregivers, to nurture courage, passion, and advocacy in children through real-world role models and storytelling.
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Leadership is a journey, not a destination. It is an invitation to learn, grow and build a brighter future. This journey starts in a child’s formative years as they discover their passions, develop their voices and work together to create change. First Educators play a key role in nurturing and developing these leadership qualities by modeling the way and helping connect youth to inspiring role models.
Robert S. Abbott, founder of the pioneering newspaper The Chicago Defender, is an example of a role model who demonstrated courage and creativity. I interviewed Amir Abdullahi, youth advocate, to learn more about Robert’s leadership legacy and youth leadership development strategies.
Q: Who is the legendary defender of justice, Robert S. Abbott?
A: Robert Abbott grew up watching injustice take place in the United States during Jim Crow. Jim Crow laws included segregation between Blacks and whites within schools and separate drinking fountains, bathrooms and public spaces. All this was after the abolishment of slavery, when Blacks still struggled to find employment and had trouble making ends meet while fearing for their safety. Blacks also had to endure verbal and physical threats daily.
Q: How did Robert Abbott use leadership to effectuate social change?
A: Robert decided to make a difference by writing for justice. He previously left his home in Georgia because the South was segregated and racial violence was a daily reality. He moved to Chicago to create a better life for the uplift of the Black community. Robert was determined to create change because that is what his father, John, preached to him. He taught him to always stand up for what’s right. This is exactly how you would define the word “justice.” The right thing to do was to be an advocate for equality in the United States during a time when Jim Crow laws existed, since there were so many barriers for the Black community to overcome.
That did not stop Robert from working hard, persevering and going all out to accomplish his end goal, which was to create equality for all. Robert showed exemplary leadership qualities by being an advocate for justice during the peak of Jim Crow. He was leading not only for himself but for the betterment of society. Growing up, Robert studied hard and finished high school at Beach Institute. Afterward, he worked as an apprentice at a local newspaper, where he learned about the printing process, then started college at Claflin University in South Carolina.
Q: How can children learn from Robert Abbott about leadership?
A: The leadership legacy of Robert teaches children about the principles of servant leadership and unrelenting tenacity. Robert advocated for the Black community by writing newspapers and distributing them despite facing death threats, newspaper distributors being arrested and even having newspapers banned in the South.
The leadership legacy of Robert also helps teach children about writing for justice by advocating for what’s right, and in this case, it was about ending racial segregation in the country and advocating for change through writing.
Strategies to teach children the principles of leadership
First Educators can equip youth for success by teaching them the principles of leadership and the importance of writing for justice.
“First Educator” refers to the fundamental, primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals and behaviors.
First Educators can use these strategies to inspire the next generation of leaders. Ask young people what they are passionate about, and encourage them to learn more about the topic and share the information with others. This is the beginning of mobilizing for change. It is also important to provide role models for success: introduce a child who likes to explore STEM to Marian Croak, the computer scientist who advanced voice over internet protocol technology; introduce a child who loves to cook to celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, who blends culture and heritage through food; and introduce a child interested in fashion design to the creative genius of Houston White.
By teaching the principles of leadership, students can feel brave and confident in leading change.
You can learn more about Robert Abbott by reading my latest book, “Robert S. Abbott: Defender of Justice.” For more information, visit https://www.ppgjbooks.com/product/robert-abbott-defender-of-justice-paperback-/MGZR5LJN772CVNBQMU6HY3HR?cs=true&cst=custom.
Join Planting People Growing Justice every first Saturday for the Leaders Are Readers program, intergenerational reading circles that bring children and families together through storytelling and interactive activities, plus a free lunch and book giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jimmy Lee Recreational Center. For more information, visit www.ppgjli.org. You can also reach Dr. Artika Tyner directly at drartikatyner@gmail.com.
