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Book Release: Citizenship: What Every American Needs to KnowJune 29, 2012
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Related Publications We caught up with Brenda Star, President of StarGroup International, to ask about her latest book. Alice Murphy: What inspired you to create ''Citizenship: What Every American Needs to Know?" Brenda Star: As a Baby Boomer who grew up with a sense of integrity, strength and pride for our country, I was becoming more and more aware of a very different perception in today’s world. I was reading that many American citizens can’t pass a basic civics test, that fewer than half of American 8th graders knew the purpose of the Bill of Rights, that less than half of our citizens voted in the recent midterm elections, and that a Gallup poll reports that only one in three say they are “extremely patriotic”. These are alarming facts. Thomas Jefferson said, ”We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate”. Alice: You've gotten a lot of great reviews on your new book. What do you hope to accomplish with its release? Brenda: An immediate, dramatic turnaround is required of American citizens. My goal is to energize our citizens, from nine to ninety, to take responsibility; to become more informed, more educated, and to become more involved with the changes that must be made for the reshaping of the United States. Chapters in the book include two civics tests (with answers), an American history timeline, an overview of “how government works”, important historical documents, inspiring stories, information on volunteering, service-learning, the armed forces and much more. We also included resources, and names of organizations that are involved in civics education. Alice: Your book covers an impressive amount of information on civics. In your opinion, what is the most important civics lesson to take away? Brenda: The beauty and the simplicity of our founding documents amaze me every time I read them. How did we get so far away from these basics? Maybe, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights should be “news” again. The Declaration of Independence is our country’s most cherished symbol of liberty. The Constitution sets up the structure of the U.S. Government into three branches and lists all the powers of government. The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution, which limit the power of the U.S. government. Pretty basic stuff…. Alice: Was there anything you found particularly surprising or interesting when you were in the process of compiling and editing 'Citizenship'? Brenda: If the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 marks the beginning of our country as we know it, we need to realize that we are less than 250 years old. Literally, in our great-great (and maybe another “great”) grandparents lifetimes, our country was taking shape. We need to remember that we are a young country with a rich heritage – that we are in the process of learning some of the things that “do not” work. We need to realize that we’re having growing pains. We need to acknowledge that the United States, whatever its faults, is an exceptional nation. Our challenge is to take responsibility to help keep it that way. Alice: How do you plan on getting the book into the hands of our citizens? Brenda: The distribution plan has always been to get the book into the hands of like-minded pro-active, patriotic organizations and corporations who already have an audience. This opportunity from NCoC is an example of how this is happening. Prior to the official release date of July 4th, 2012, the Florida Bar obtained sponsorship for customized books for attendees to their annual meeting this summer. NECO (National Ethnic Coalition of Organization) distributed custom copies of the book at their Ellis Island Medal of Honor awards ceremony. Other Bar Associations, civic associations, and government and educational officials are requesting that custom books be produced to include information about their organization. There are many organizations in our country that are doing wonderful work. We hope to join them for our common good. **A 50% discount is available for books ordered before the official release date of July 4th, 2012. Click here to order and include the discount code 742012** If you like this kind of content, sign up for an NCoC.net account and we'll customize your homepage recommendations based on your interests..
By sandra thompson at 2:15 PM on Jul 2nd, 2012
Wonderful interview. You are and have been on your way for a long time. Hope this will be the home run not only for you but for the country that needs this sort of education, challenge and stimulation. Lots of luck to a dear and special friend.
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