Reform in 2023
As the year draws to a close, The Fulcrum is looking ahead to what may happen next year in the world of political reform and anti-polarization efforts. We invited leaders in those movements to share their hopes and plans for 2023.
Building a beacon of hope in Boston
Henry Santana, director of the Boston Mayor’s Office of Civic Organizing, and GenUity CEO Jerren Chang hope their work to build stronger communities in Boston can be a model for improving democracy in 2023.
Imagine a community built by everyone, for everyone. One where residents who want to drive change beyond Election Day can find pathways to do so. One where residents can come together across differences to share their lived expertise and learn from each other. One where the residents most impacted by an issue – like health equity – are collaborating with institutions – like local governments, health care providers or health insurers – to co-create better solutions. A community like this would be a beacon of hope, showing us that democracy can deliver our ideals of equal opportunity and helping us discover the path to get there.
We are building this beacon in Boston, a city emblematic of our ideals and the deeply entrenched issues we still need to address.
The challenge to our democracy – 2012, 2022 and beyond
David Nevins, board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund (and co-publisher of The Fulcrum), reflects on his first decade in the reform movement and what is yet to come.
While it is tempting to just give up given the complexities of the problem facing our democracy, my belief in the ability of We, the People, drives me to work with others to find a better way.
We must create a new vision of what democracy is that includes a robust role for citizens.
Podcast: Changing minds
Let’s face it. There are times you can’t stand your neighbor’s guts. The problem is, contempt and disgust for people who think differently from you is the death knell of democracy, says writer Anand Giridharadas. Over the last few years, he set out in search of the lost art of persuasion, and found it: among activists, cult-deprogrammers, political organizers and deep canvassers. Giridharadas shares what he learned and offers some advice on how to talk to your friends — and enemies — in the latest episode of “Democracy in Danger.”
Also in the news
The untold story of how a US woman was sentenced to six years for voting (The Guardian)
Third case brought by DeSantis’ election police dismissed (ABC7)
GOP’s `anti-woke' crusade splits corporate America (Yahoo News)
GOP midterm messaging fell short with independent voters (NewsHour)
Upcoming events
The Search for Purpose Conversation - Living Room Conversations - Dec. 28
Democracy Happy Hour - Fix Democracy First - Jan. 4
Restoring Faith in American Leadership - Institute for Global Leadership - Jan. 9
Christian Nationalism - The Great Reset - Jan. 10
The End of American Democracy? - Interactivity Foundation - Jan. 11
