Hometown Chronicles Cover Story: How We Got Here in this Moment as a Nation and Forging our Next Chapter in Civic Engagement

Preview Summary –

• Some wonder if America is going through bouts of hiccups in our public space or are we about to choke on something that’s gonna require the Heimlich maneuver to free the flow of hopes & dreams.
• There’s something that’s been brewing in the south regarding ‘boots on the ground’. In a pop culture context, it’s a new line dance. In public affairs it might help us level up our social impact.
• The problem we have these days is emotions of grievance, hate and divisiveness have been turned into personal animus as opposed to frustrations being turned into purposeful action.

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If there’s anything we know about showbiz, there’re certain events that sellout out quicky or are like must-see TV. Just this month alone, folks have the NBA, celebrating Broadway and music awards in LA. Take your pick, or for those who’re fans across the spectrum, then one or more of the above works for you. There’s sure to be a cover story or viral moment that has people talking and brand-attention rising. But these days some wonder if America is going through bouts of hiccups in our public space or are we about to choke on something that’s gonna require the Heimlich maneuver to free the flow of hopes & dreams.

What if we had to write the next hometown chronicles cover story to explain how we got here in this moment as a nation? What might be the theme in the chapter on civic engagement? On the west coast there’re clashes between immigration agents and residents. On the east coast there’s discussion around legislation that could set the path of America. We need elected officials to show leadership and deliver policies that showcase our nation as ‘light on a hill’, not ‘ash on a heap’. Meantime, there’s something that’s been brewing in the south regarding ‘boots on the ground’. In a pop culture context, it’s a new line dance. In public affairs it might help us level up our social impact.

These days we need a fresh approach for how we respond to the frustrations of ‘we the people’. If we take a step back in time we can walk in the shoes of history. As our nation was coming into fruition, there were 70 delegates who were invited to attend the Constitutional Convention. Of the 70, there were 55 who made it to Philadelphia. Of the 55, there were 39 who signed the document. Of the 39 there were three who kept telling the story of America’s founding and future promise (that’s what we find in the Federalist Papers). Then, 10+ years or so into the young life of our republic, two stood tall in response to attacks on our democracy (they became future presidents). Since then, we’ve gone from 4 million to 325 million. How things played out at the national level gives clues for our next chapter in civic engagement.

There was also action taken at the local level to forge more ‘boots on the ground’. Those steps involved newly incorporated municipalities as many were focused on life, liberty and happiness objectives. But in another sense, ever wondered why New York is considered the media/financial capital of the world, or why Los Angeles is considered the showbiz capital of the world? When it comes to government or biz, the capital has a sizable number of public servants or industry personnel, e.g. Washington DC as the nation’s capital. So, what would it mean to have the title of the “civics capital of the world?” We’d have more ‘boots on the ground’ with content to rally folks around civic engagement, and pop culture to rally folks around hometown empowerment.

The capital is often about location and how folks leverage resources at their fingertips. Let’s then connect the dots across history, civics and culture where the power of the people and the people in power come together in a major way. Our response must take into consideration that we got here because of grievance, hate and divisiveness. The problem we have is those emotions have been turned into personal animus as opposed to purposeful action. If we’re gonna move past animus and deploy action, we’ve gotta be operating as:

1. Advocate

There’s been a push across NJ and a couple of other States to allow students as young as 16 to vote in school board elections. The idea known as ‘Vote16NJ’ is that the earlier we get young folks involved in voting the better it will be for voter participation at all levels. There’re mixed feelings as to whether the public school system is the only avenue for civics education, since some fear the ‘politics of things’ might get in the way. There’s also a sense that while public education provides the initial facts and keyword-learning of civics, there’s a void in providing a broader mindset or fuller meaning of civic matters.            

2. Syndicate

If we wanted stronger citizens, we’d probably need to focus on building understanding about government, having them be more informed, engaged, inspired on issues as well as making gains in voter turnout and civic participation. Sometimes in showbiz, you’ll see a local personality move on to a national role on a network or syndicate. This allows for a wider reach as a group of individuals or companies pursue more commerce or promote some common interest. Civics can also help advance America as a syndicate across education, biz, government and community for more in commerce and common interest.    

3. Administration

Consider how organized sports play a big part in student development. At an early age, students get to participate in P.E. for their mental and physical well-being. Some go on to other extracurricular or competitive formats. Based on the value of sports and artistic expression in culture, what would happen if there were an anti-talent vibe? The activity would lose its excitement and excellence. Similarly, when administrations consider our nation’s well-being if there’s an anti-knowledge or anti-civics vibe in some sectors then the importance to our culture will lose its excitement, excellence and essence.  

4. Innovation

How did we function before without a microwave in our kitchens? How did we find our way before without having GPS in our vehicles? How did we research a topic before without having the Internet? These innovations have changed the way we cook our meals, drive our cars and challenge our minds. Similarly, we need new innovations in how we make our way as a nation across family, culture, community and dreams. SAIC represents a campaign/platform for having a better handle of hot-button issues by how we see America in color, not just in black & white. As with that shift in TV, it’s about delivering smart civics.

America’s going through a ‘microwave moment’ that might not be the best use of public affairs. It’s like putting foil in a microwave which causes sparks to fly. Lots of sparks are flying in our social space. After each use for heating, the microwave will beep to get our attention that the cycle is done. Well, we’re getting beeps too in our nation that should be getting our attention. Let’s open the door as advocate and syndicate in civic engagement. Let’s make new strides in administration and innovation for empowerment. Let’s not lose excitement, excellence and essence in an ordinary day to turn out some extraordinary play.  

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Tracks: Alex Warren – Ordinary – https://youtu.be/u2ah9tWTkmk?si=0WV0TRqUTLiPgUwA

Beyoncé – Be Alive – https://youtu.be/4aeDlZOD-B0?si=RpTXMUUnPasyjc4Z