1. Identify a civil rights abuse in your local community – how does this repression impact you or someone you know?Describe a personal experience with civil rights restrictions (censorship, discrimination, protest, etc.). Consider what can be done – and what is being done - to reform these abuses. Explain whether your children will still face the same restrictions when they are your age.

1. Profile a Middle East civil rights reformer: What about their work inspires you and how can you assist their struggle?Explain the challenge to individual rights this reformer addresses. Describe the nonviolent strategic approach the reformer uses to advance change. And suggest ways that you as an individual in America can help support their struggle – from social media tools to solidarity rallies to fundraising.

2. What would you with $1,000 to organize a civil rights event or campaign?You can use this money in any way you want to help secure individual rights in your community. Describe with details the activity, its intended impact, strategic approach, budget, and marketing plan. Structure your essay creatively: perhaps as a grant proposal, a mock police report on the event, or a story imagining how the event comes together to make an impact. Consider that winning the contest will give you the funds to make this vision a reality.

3. What is your “dream deferred”: a vision of your society with civil rights for all?Share your dream of a successful civil rights movement. Explain what is needed for this campaign to overcome obstacles. If you like, write a mock newspaper article from the future reporting on a ground-breaking event, campaign, or new project (e.g., a civil rights TV station, web portal, online training center, etc.). Describe successful collaboration between Mideast activists and grassroots American supporters.

3. What can the future look like if Americans - like you - partner with Middle Eastern reformers? Share your vision of a successful collaboration between Middle East and American activists. Describe how an effective joint campaign overcomes key obstacles. If you like, answer the question by writing a mock newspaper article or blog from the future reporting on this new alliance. Consider the impact of social media tools to build bridges and build effective partnerships between activists on opposite sides of the world.

4. You have been given $2,000 to produce a short (1-4 minutes) viral video on civil rights in the Middle East. The challenge is to grab viewers’ attention, link viewers to a specific action to address the abuse, and ultimately get them to forward the video to friends?The video should aim to make an emotional and educational impact that spurs a clear practical action by viewers. It could also be a video answer to one of the essay questions posed above. Include the script for the video as well as the marketing plan to distribute it virally. For bonus points: Actually produce the video and provide a link to it with your essay.

4. You have been given $2,000 to produce a short (1-4 minutes) viral video on civil rights in the Middle East. The challenge is to grab viewers’ attention, link viewers to a specific action to address the abuse, and ultimately get them to forward the video to friends?The video should aim to make an emotional and educational impact that spurs a clear practical action by viewers. It could also be a video answer to one of the essay questions posed above. Include the script for the video as well as the marketing plan to distribute it virally. For bonus points: Actually produce the video and provide a link to it with your essay.