Civics teachers need to give more attention to ‘greatest Kennedy’

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, was a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities.

This commentary from redefinED guest blogger Bill Mattox appeared Sunday in the Dallas Morning News. Mattox is author of the James Madison Institute’s award-winning civics curriculum, “Celebrate Freedom,” and a volunteer leader with the Village Square.

It’s fitting that the Olympics ended last weekend, only a few days before schools begin to re-open around the country. Because when students return to the classroom this fall, their civics teachers ought to consider asking them an Olympic medal-stand version of this question:

Which of Joseph and Rose Kennedy’s children did the most to promote democracy in America? 

When I’ve asked this question in recent years, the responses have followed a familiar pattern: No one thinks Teddy deserves anything more than the Bronze; many want to give RFK more than the Silver; but, in the end, most say JFK merits the Gold.

Interestingly, I think all these responses may get it wrong.

To me, the Kennedy whose life arguably has the most to teach us about good citizenship is Eunice.

No, Eunice Kennedy Shriver never served as president. Or held a cabinet position. Or gave a speech that is often quoted. No one ever called her “The Lion of the Senate.” And few people even noticed the 100th anniversary of her birth (last month – on July 10).

But Eunice Kennedy Shriver embodied an extremely important dimension of American civic life – a dimension rapidly fading before our eyes, even though Alexis de Tocqueville viewed it as one of the keys to the success of “Democracy in America.”

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BY Special to NextSteps