Page header image
Constitution Day
The Constitution
On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history: the United States Constitution. This document established the framework of our government and the rights and freedoms that “We the People” enjoy today.
Constitution Day and Social Justice at DVC - The event is free and open to all.
September 19, 2023 - 12:45-2:00 P.M. - Diablo Room, 3rd Level HSF Bldg
“Supreme Injustice: Social Justice and the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)”
A Panel Discussion on legal discrimination and the high court in US history. Our panelists will discuss various contemporary issues around SCOTUS and its history in the US.
- Mickey Huff (Prof. Social Science, History, Journalism) - Ethics and Corruption in Life-Appointed SCOTUS Justices
- Dr. Sangha Niyogi (Prof. Sociology/Social Justice) - Reproductive Rights Post Dobbs v. Jackson (Post-Roe)
- Dr. Albert Ponce (Prof. Political Science, Social Justice, Ethnic Studies) -History of Constitution, and SCOTUS, & Affirmative Action
- Dr. James Wilson, They/Them, (Prof. English, Co-Coordinator, Community of Pride) - LGBTQIA+ Rights & SCOTUS
September 15, 2022
The Importance of Academic Freedom in a Cancel Culture Obsessed with Curtailing Curricula and Banning Books
For some time, the United States has been on the road to what many scholars and pundits repeatedly refer to as a coming Civil War 2.0. Major political figures call the coming elections a "war for the soul of America." With increased attacks on academic freedom from the left and right, and a massive uptick in book challenges and bans across the country, our panelists discuss the need for open dialogue, constructive communication, and advocate for protecting the right to teach, to read, and to disagree. Our guests present strategies to reduce tensions in our contentious political climate through critical thinking, as well as reciprocity and empathic listening, while seeking alternatives to censorship in the quest to overcome current challenges and ameliorate our differences.
Moderated by Mickey Huff, director of Project Censored, co-author of Let's Agree to Disagree; co-editor Project Censored's State of the Free Press 2022
Sponsored by DVC's Student Life Office, Journalism, Social Justice Studies, History, Political Science, the Social Sciences, Project Censored and the Media Freedom Foundation
Fall 2020 recording
The Constitution in Contentious Times: Why the First Amendment Matters
A Discussion about Free Speech, the Free Press, Rights of Assembly, and Petitioning
Grievances
Online Resources
Here are some great on-line resources to help you learn more about the Constitution:
- The Constitution
- Interactive Constitution
- The American Civil Liberties Union
- Bill of Rights Institute
- The Constitution: The Delicate Balance
- National Archive online feature
- Biographical sketches of the 39 signers of the constitution
- California Voter Registration
Videos and quizzes about the constitution
- School House Rock: No More Kings
- School House Rock: The Preamble
- Constitution Facts: Real or Fake?
- Constitution Facts: Quiz
- Constitution Duel: Bill of Rights Institute
Check out the official Constitution Day website or the Constitution Center's website.