In a nation where half the citizens don’t vote, who cares about civics? Kelley Brown and her students, that’s who.

TEACHERS, teachers & healers, DEMOCRACYThe AtticNovember 21, 2024American democracy, Civics education, We the People competition Comments

WHEN DEMOCRACY SPOKE. . . AND LISTENED

With America flat on its back, “Town Meeting of the Air” revived the conversation of democracy.

DEMOCRACYThe AtticNovember 14, 2024Town Meeting of the Air, America's Town Meeting of the Air, democracy, American democracy, Old radio Comments

TOQUEVILLE'S TAKE ON AMERICA

Setting out to describe democracy, he created a lasting portrait of Us, the People

DEMOCRACYThe AtticNovember 8, 2024Tocqueville, American democracy, "Democracy in America", Alexis de Tocqueville Comments

THE VICTORY OF VOTING

Though embattled, our voting rights are wider and stronger than they used to be.

DEMOCRACYThe AtticOctober 31, 2024Democracy, Democracy in America, American democracy, Voting rights, Voting Rights Act, Election 2024 Comment

A DIRGE FOR DEMOCRACY?

America's good gray poet went dark for a while. But Walt Whitman surfaced with a new hope for America.

BOOK-ISH, DEMOCRACYThe AtticSeptember 5, 2024WALT WHITMAN, Walt Whitman, Democracy, Democratic Vistas, Whitman's Democratic Vistas, Malaise Comments

THE WOMAN WHO SAID 'NO!' TO NIXON

While the nation watched, Barbara Jordan stepped out of the Jim Crow past to defend democracy.

HEROES, DEMOCRACYThe AtticFebruary 21, 2024Barbara Jordan, U.S. Congress, Watergate, House Judiciary Committee, Nixon impeachment, Richard Nixon Comments

TRUTH'S OWN HISTORIAN -- JILL LEPORE

Despite three jobs — professor, New Yorker writer, mother — Jill Lepore solved the mystery. “Who Killed Truth?”

BATTLING THE B.S., TEACHERS, teachers, TEACHERS & HEALERS, DEMOCRACYThe AtticSeptember 21, 2023Jill Lepore, American history, These Truths, The New Yorker, Harvard University Comments

DEMOCRACY FOR A DIME

Books were no bargain until a century ago when the Little Blue Books were born. A half billion books later. . .

BOOK-ISH, DEMOCRACYThe AtticAugust 19, 2021Publishing, Little Blue Books, Emanuel Haldeman-Julius, Democracy Comments

LINCOLN AND THE 'MOBOCRATIC SPIRIT'

In 1837, when mob violence raged, a young lawyer rose to defend the rule of law. He spoke not to his time but for all time.

HEROES, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJanuary 14, 2021Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln, Mobocracy, Mob violence, January 6 Lincoln, January 6 hearings, January 6 insurrection Comments

THE DECLARATION -- FARMER STYLE

Income equality? Unions? Co-ops? Busting up corporations? The radical left? Nah, just American farmers.

REBELS, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJune 26, 2020Populism, Declaration of Independence, American Farms, AgricultureComment

JUNETEENTH!

Slavery continued in Texas for months after the war. Then came the word — on Juneteenth.

History, REBELS, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJune 11, 2020Juneteenth!, Juneteenth, Slavery Comments

THE CONSERVATIVE AND THE 'COMMIE'

When a radical Mexican muralist began to paint at Dartmouth, some wanted his work destroyed. The college president refused.

HEROES, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJuly 11, 2019Jose Orozco, Dartmouth College, Murals, Mexican murals, The Epic of American Civilization Comments

THE SUPREMES AND THE FLAG

With soldiers coming home in flag-draped caskets, the Supreme Court considered the Pledge of Allegiance. The ruling may surprise you.

REBELS, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJune 6, 2019flag salute, Supreme Court decision, barnette v west virginia, patriotism, Jehovah's witness Comments

THE WOMAN WHO SAID 'NO' TO MCCARTHY

Bullied into silence, Congress got a lesson in integrity from Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME).

HEROES, DEMOCRACYThe AtticFebruary 8, 2019Margaret Chase Smith, Joseph McCarthy, McCarthyism, Idealism, 1950s Comments

LANGSTON HUGHES -- "LET AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN"

How Langston Hughes touched bottom during the Depression and wrote an American anthem.

BOOK-ISH, DEMOCRACYThe AtticOctober 1, 2018American dream, Lit, People of Color Comments

SILENT SENTINELS

Women had marched, picketed protested for 70 years. Then the Silent Sentinels were jailed, tortured, force fed. And you’re too busy to vote? (As seen in “Iron Jawed Angels.”)

HEROES, ATTIC AT THE MOVIES, DEMOCRACYThe AtticJune 30, 2018Women's suffrage, 19th amendment, Alice Paul, Silent Sentinels, Woodrow Wilson Comment