On Sunday, Nicholas Kristof’s NYT column focused on the power of the social activist website Change.org. Case in point. A fourth-grade class in Brookline, Mass. had read “The Lorax” and were impressed with its environmental message. They learned that Universal Studios would soon be releasing a movie version of the book. The students learned that the studio’s movie website ignored the environmental themes.
They mobilized. They started a petition on Change.org. which went viral with more than 57,000 signatures. The studio recognizing the power of this petition and updated the movie site with the environmental message that the kids wanted to see.
Dr. Seuss’ message remains vital and, coupled with students’ knowledge of the web, will continue to affect future readers.