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We're inviting young people to share their perspectives: Tell us what equality means to you!

Deadline: April 12, 2010.

Across America, young people are thinking and talking about equality. From the Jena 6 to the many who canvassed door to door in the 2008 elections - young people continue to come out in force, speaking their minds and making their voices heard on the issues they believe in. Over the past fifty years, young people involved in the civil rights movement have made steady progress in their quest for a just society. From the students who conducted sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in the 1960s, to teens who have been marching for gay rights, young people continue to make their voices heard and change history.

The concept of equality under the law is a cornerstone of American life. We've witnessed great victories in cases such as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, in which the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public education violates the Constitution. Present-day legal battles over race, gender, orientation, the environment, health, education, age, housing, immigration, and disability issues continue to rage in courtrooms across the country.

Youth action creates the conditions for change - in the courts, in the halls of Congress, and in your state and community. Equality has meant different things to different people at different times. We invite you to share your perspective and tell us: What does equality mean to you?

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CONTEST

The Contest and the Rules

Prizes:

• Two first prize winners will be chosen, one for the best written entry, and the other for the best visual image.
• Each first prize winner will receive $500 in cash, an award, and a trip for two to New York City.
• Three runners-up in each category will receive $50 prizes.

Eligibility:
People ages fourteen through eighteen can participate in the contest by submitting an original written or visual entry (either a drawing, photograph or cartoon) responding to the following question: "What does equality mean to you?"

In the form of a written entry, tell us "What does equality means to you?" Your written entry must: be your original work. demonstrate that you understand the topic of the contest, and how it relates to you, and/or your community. be no more than 750 words. be typed or legibly handwritten.

In the form of a visual entry, tell us "What does equality means to you?" Your visual entry must: be in the form of an original photo, an original drawing, or an original cartoon. demonstrate that you understand the topic of the contest, and how it relates to you, your life, and/or your community. if by mail, be no larger than 8.5 x 11 letter size. if by email, be in jpeg or gif format, and must be no more than 640 x 480 pixels. The file size must be 300 KB or less.

Terms and Conditions:
Before submitting anything to the contest, please make sure to read the What Does Equality Mean To You? Official Rules and Submission Agreement, which govern this contest. Contest rules can be found on the National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights website at: http://www.rollbackcampaign.org/contest2010/.

For more information, download the NCRCR 2010 Contest Packet and Poster.

For additional questions, please contact the National Campaign to Restore Civil Rights at (212) 336-9323, or rollback@nylpi.org (please write ATTN: 2010 Contest - More Information) in the subject line of your email.

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Steps to Submit Your Written or Virtual Entry:

All submissions are due by Monday April 12, 2010, 10 PM EST. (Emails and faxes must be sent by this time and all entries sent by mail must be postmarked by Monday, April 12, 2010.) You may only enter the contest once, with either a written or a visual entry.