Discussion Gathering

Who are we as a people and a nation? Is Courageous Citizenship in our DNA? The answer should be a resounding yes! American history is replete with examples of ordinary citizens coming together, many times across deep divisions, to improve life for themselves, their families, their communities, and their country.

From the high-stakes internal struggle among our founders over the very definition of liberty, power, human rights, and who “we the people” include, to the abolitionist societies, the agricultural cooperatives, and the common school movement, of the 19th century; to the suffrage movement, farmer soil conservation cooperatives and public work of the Great Depression that built the national parks, and the civil rights movement of the 20th Century; and the Cajun Navy of the 21st Century, Americans have organized collaboratively and taken responsibility for their shared life.

Join us for the first of the Civic Scholars Council Seminars Series on Courageous Citizenship to explore this history as the foundation for our future. The theme of the inaugural seminar is “From Subject to Citizen,” harkening back to a little-known anecdote from our history when Thomas Jefferson, in authoring the Declaration of Independence, crossed out the word “subject” and substituted the word “citizen.”

Our panelists — moderated by Sarah Stitzlein includes Civic Scholars Council members Trygve Throntveit, Johann Neem, and Pete Peterson – will discuss examples of courageous citizenship… how everyday citizens worked across differences to improve communities and co-create a Commonwealth which advances toward a more perfect union. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists, to tell civic stories from your area, and reflect on how you can demonstrate Courageous Citizenship in your community.

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org