Items of Importance

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Commentary - Another picture of Democracy

America is anxious, for obvious reasons. But in the chilly media stream that rushes over us every day, endlessly re-looping the litany of horribles, and what politicians and opinionists say the government must do about them, no one ever turns the mirror around.

Never any headlines about what we-the-people need to do to become more effective partners in this great experiment called self-government. To become more valuable as citizens -- wiser and better able to contribute to the sustainable solutions that politicians alone clearly cannot deliver.

Yes, there are rising calls to service, to volunteer in our communities. And that is a very good thing indeed. But as critical as volunteering and voting are, what's missing is any emphasis on the third leg of civic engagement -- which involves citizens keeping themselves well informed about the issues that shape all our lives, and actively engaged in political decision-making and problem-solving. In those departments, according to all the research, we've got a lot of work to do.

So it's critical we shatter the silence about our third leg civic obligations. And I can't think of a better way to start than by shining a bright spotlight on the incredible work being done in the deliberative democracy field.

Which is one of the motivations behind "Song Of A Citizen" -- a non-profit venture I've launched to produce a slate of films and web videos with a singular purpose -- to inspire a radical upgrade in the concept of civic engagement in America by re-framing the role of the citizen in relation to political decision-making. In other words, to re-link the self to self-government.

I'm currently in production on an innovative Video Op-Ed series for the Internet -- featuring brilliant thinkers from various disciplines -- each offering their take on what it really means to be a responsible and effective citizen, why it matters, how we're doing, and how we can do better. All wrapped up in a very compelling visual style.

Martha McCoy did one of these pieces called "Another Picture Of Democracy," and it's really powerful. You can view it, and some others at: http://songofacitizen.blogspot.com

Martha's commentary in her video op-ed so inspired me that I thought I'd use her title for this blog post. Because I'm all about alternative "pictures" as a way of communicating change. And because Martha said something in her video that really got me thinking about the big "how" of bringing about big change.

Humbly referring to her work, she avers: "there is no one magic bullet process that will make our democracy stronger and more alive." But I actually think that deliberative processes are pretty darn close to a magic bullet.

Locally and nationally, we have a matrix of pressing problems, to say the least. We urgently need solution-generating machines. Not only to solve particular problems, but to empower citizens to keep the machine parts moving smoothly. And deliberation does all of that. Uniquely. Powerfully.

So we need to find ways of scaling it up a thousand fold so that ordinary Americans everywhere can start transforming themselves from civic spectators into problem-solving participants -- from citizen slackers to citizen superheroes.

And so America can recapture its capacity to dream big dreams. And in so doing, give ourselves and future generations an inspiring new picture of what democracy can look like.

So, magic bullet? Maybe not exactly. But imagine deliberative forums in every community in the land -- all the time -- as a permanent fixture of self-governance. That would bring its own kind of magic, don't you think?

So how do we bring deliberation to scale?

My small contribution is to paint moving pictures -- and use the medium of the moment to spread the word. Others want government to lead the way. What are your thoughts?

Posted by Jeffrey Abelsom - Everyday Democracy

Tuesday, August 18, 6:30 pm First Presbyterian Dialogue Group meets

The First Presbyterian dialogue group will continue next week with a discussion with Professor John Studstill of the CSU sociology department on the topic, "Are 'Black' and 'White' out of Date: What does Race really mean?" The third in the series will be "Hypo descent or the One Drop of Blood Rule: a Chapter in the History of Racism in the South." The next dialogue will be a study of the language of racism, followed by the meaning of racist concepts.

Please join us at 6:30 on Tuesday, August 18, in the First Presbyterian Church MUSEUM (the room across the large foyer area as you enter the building), located on First Avenue, immediately to the north of the main church (toward the corner of First Avenue and Twelfth Street). There is limited parking in the lot in front of the entrance with more parking on the street.

Contact:: H. Berrien Zettler 706-324-6363

One Columbus Business Dialogue Groups available

Included in these change management workshops are sessions designed to provide, among other things, increasing participant's knowledge base of themselves with respect to their families and their communities and improving employees' satisfaction with the workplace.

Expert facilitators guide small groups if ten to twelve through a series of sessions to make for a better, more efficient and productive workforce. Ask for our references. Call One Columbus at 706-315-0162

DOWN THE ROAD

For decades. conversations about the key issues affecting our community have been held around what has come to be called the Race Relations Breakfast.

The 2009-2010 program year will begin at 7:15 am Wednesday, September 9 at Ruth Ann's Restaurant on Veterans Parkway. The topic is the MCSD's Special Option Sales Tax.

You should plan to be there.