Deliberative Citizenship Initiative

Building Democracy One Conversation at a Time

Graham Bullock

Citizen University CEO Eric Liu Visits Davidson Monday – RSVP Today!

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Introductory Slide for Eric Liu.

We are excited to share some information about two upcoming events co-sponsored by the Bonner Scholars Program and the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative featuring Citizen University CEO Eric Liu. The first is a public lecture by Mr. Liu this coming Monday evening (2/6) from 5 pm to 6:30 pm in the Lilly Gallery. The theme of his talk is “From Isolation to Community: A Commitment to Rehumanize and Revive our Democracy.” More information is below and attached; the event is free to attend in person but an RSVP is required on WildCatSync (there will also be a livestreaming option).

After his keynote address, Liu will lead a smaller interactive conversation exploring the key insights from the Better Arguments Project, a national civic initiative that he helped create to “bridge divides – not by papering over those divides but by helping people have better arguments.” Learn more below and RSVP on WildCatSync. The event is in-person and dinner is included for all participants, but seating is limited so RSVP as soon as possible if you are interested in joining.

Eric-Liu-Flyer-for-Email

PUBLIC LECTURE:

From Isolation to Community: A Commitment to Rehumanize and Revive our Democracy

Monday, February 6th, 5 pm to 6:30 pm

Is it possible to escape our culture of hyperindividualism, digital isolation, and status anxiety? What does it mean to be an engaged citizen in today’s divisive and divided political landscape? How can we come together to restore hope, find joy and purpose, revive democracy, and feel part of a connected community? Citizen University CEO Eric Liu confronts these questions, celebrates the shared values and beliefs that unite us, and provides an action plan for powerful citizenship. Drawing from his hit TED talk and the “Civic Saturdays” phenomenon his organization sparked, Liu will challenge us to rehumanize our politics and rekindle a spirit of love and responsibility in civic life. Not just for the good we will do for society, but for the powerful good that we will do for ourselves. To RSVP for this free event co-hosted by the Bonner Scholars Program and the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, click here (in-person and streaming options available).

The Better Arguments Project:

AN INTERACTIVE CONVERSATION AND DINNER

Monday, February 6th, 7 pm to 8:30 pm

After his keynote address, Citizen University CEO Eric Liu will lead a smaller interactive conversation exploring the key insights from the Better Arguments Project, a national civic initiative that Liu helped create “to help bridge divides – not by papering over those divides but by helping people have better arguments.” Designed as a practical approach to enable individuals and groups with diverse perspectives to engage with one another (without rushing prematurely towards reconciliation), the Better Arguments Project focuses on incorporating historical context, emotional intelligence, and a recognition of power dynamics into these efforts. It is also based on five key principles for better arguments, which Liu will introduce and help participants actively consider how they can incorporate into their future conversations across differences. Dinner is included for all participants, but seating is limited so RSVP as soon as possible if you are interested in joining.           

Eric Liu, Citizen University CEO and Co-Founder

SPEAKER BACKGROUND

“Democracy works only when enough of us believe democracy works,” says Eric Liu. How do we rekindle that belief? How do we, as individuals, organizations, communities, corporations — even professions — reinvigorate the meaning and spirit of citizenship in America? These are the questions civic evangelist Eric Liu explores in his compelling, acclaimed talks – talks that celebrate our shared values and challenge Americans to live up to them. Liu is one of the country’s most sought-after speakers on citizen power, civic health, the future of democracy, and American identity. His inspirational 2019 main stage TED Talk, based on his work at Citizen University, received a standing ovation and more than topped one million views in less than a month. His two previous TED Talks, on power and on voting, have been viewed three million times. Recently, Liu has been elected to membership in the American Academy of the Arts and selected to be a 2020 Ashoka Fellow. In both cases he was recognized by colleagues and was championed by friends.

Liu, son of Chinese immigrants and former White House speechwriter, is the CEO of Citizen University, a nonprofit working to foster a culture of powerful, responsible citizenship. He also directs the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship & American Identity Program and is a correspondent at TheAtlantic.com. His eight books include You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen, and the national best-sellers The Gardens of Democracy and True Patriot. His first book, The Accidental Asian, Notes of a Native Speaker was a New York Times Notable Book featured in the PBS documentary, “Matters of Race.” Liu’s latest book is Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility and Democracy, which grows out of the Civic Saturday phenomenon that Liu and his team pioneered and has now spread nationwide. Liu served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and later as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He has also served as a board member of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Washington State Board of Education and the Seattle Public Library and is co-founder of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. He is a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School.

Reviewed as “phenomenal,” “amazing,” “motivating,” “moving” and “empowering” by audiences ranging from university leaders and K-12 educators to innovators in corporate citizenship, health care, and architecture, Liu’s talks are unforgettable experiences. With passion, magnetism, a grounding in history, and a sense of humor, Liu touches people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum. He ignites and unites. And he leaves his audiences inspired to take action, with a renewed spirit of common purpose and a deeper sense of civic responsibility.

Spring 2023 D Teams are Here! Register Today!

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D-Teams-Poster_Spring-2023

Following our successful fall deliberations about elections, this spring the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) is hosting two tracks of discussions on important issues facing our society. The first single-topic track will take a deep dive on pressing issues relating to climate change, while the second multi-topic track will explore questions related to three key policy areas – climate change, immigration, and college admission policies. These were the highest priority issues identified in surveys of previous D Team members and discussions among the DCI Fellows and Co-Conveners. When registering, you will be able to indicate which is your preference (if you have one).

Climate Change (Single-Topic Track)

The last year witnessed record temperatures in North America, Europe and elsewhere, as well as record floods around the world, including in Kentucky, Pakistan, and Australia. Large majorities of scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and citizens now generally agree that climate change is occurring, but often differ on particular strategies to pursue and who should be responsible for implementing them. Over the course of three sessions, participants in this D Team track will take a deep dive into the topic of climate change, tackling three key questions:

  1. Climate Choices (Part I): What climate strategies, if any, should we pursue? Should we focus more on reducing carbon emissions, protecting communities from the impacts of climate change, or accelerating the development of innovations that can make it easier to do both?
  2. Climate Responsibilities (Part II): Who, if anyone, should be responsible for paying for these strategies? Should everyone pay an equal share, should polluters pay more, or should those with greater capacity pay more?
  3. Climate Responsibilities (Part III): Who, if anyone, should be responsible for implementing these strategies? Should governments, businesses, or consumers take the greatest responsibility for taking action on climate change?

    Immigration, College Admission Policies, and Climate Change (Multi-Topic Track)

    The DCI’s second track will also discuss our climate choices along with two other topics – immigration and college admissions policies.

    1. Immigration Choices: In 2022, there were a record number of migrant border crossing into the United States. Who should we welcome? What should we do? Should we welcome all immigrants and be a beacon for freedom, enforce the law and be fair to those who follow the rules, or slow down and re-build our common bonds? 
    2. College Admission Choices: In 2023, the Supreme Court will rule on two highly consequential cases related to the use of race in college admissions. How should applicants’ backgrounds be taken into account, if at all? To what extent should race, athletic performance, legacy status, gender, socio-economic status, and/or merit be used in the admission process?
    3. Climate Choices: What climate strategies, if any, should we pursue? Should we focus more on reducing carbon emissions, protecting communities from the impacts of climate change, or accelerating the development of innovations that can make it easier to do both?

      Registration

      Spring 2023 D Team Registration — CLICK HERE

      • To register for a spring D Team, click on the link above. The registration deadline is Monday, January 23rd.
      • You can choose from several dates and times. Please have your calendar ready and updated when you register and indicate all time slots that you will be available.
      • In consideration of others in your group, you are expected to attend all three sessions.
      • Group assignments, along with the date, time and the DCI Fellow leading your D Team will be emailed to you by Monday, January 30th.
      • We encourage you to invite someone who has different perspectives on the issues than you to join a D Team as well. Please this information with a colleague, friend, neighbor, or family member who you think might be interested. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join!

      Dates

      • Registration deadline – Monday, January 23
      • D Team Assignments sent to participants – Monday, January 30
      • D Team Session 1 – Week of Monday, February 20th
      • D Team Session 2 – Week of Monday, March 20th
      • D Team Session 3 – Week of Monday, April 10th

      More Information

      See below for some comments from recent D Team participants (over 160 people participated on 19 different teams this past fall):

      “My D Team experience allowed me to have rich discussions with a mix of students, staff, and alumni. I particularly enjoyed the diversity in our ages and backgrounds. The written guides and our facilitator helped me feel prepared to participate in topics I had little experience in discussing, especially outside of my own friend group.”

      “The DCI experience is one of the rare opportunities in these contentious times that cross-generational and cross-political perspectives can be shared and engaged within a respectful discussion.”

      Click here to learn more and watch a short video about the D Team experience. You can also find out about the difference between SkillBuilder and BridgeBuilder Teams and read more testimonials from past participants.

      Fall 2022 D Teams

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      Flyer for Fall D Team signup.

      Concerns surrounding elections have heightened in recent years as Americans worry about voter fraud and voter suppression, election security and election accessibility, and the fairness and inclusivity of the American electoral system. Various states have enacted stricter voting laws while other have attempted to expand access to the ballot box. As election season proceeded in the fall of 2022, the DCI’s D Teams focused on the issues, pressing challenges, and possible solutions related to voting and elections in America.

      D Teams Poster Fall 22

      Over three sessions, these D Teams deliberated about how we can make voting more accessible, more secure, and more fair. The first session focused on whether we should make voting more accessible through early voting, voting by mail, an increased number of polling places, and more. The second D Team meeting examined election security and whether we should reduce concerns about voter fraud through poll watching, use of better technology, voter ID laws, and other strategies. The third and final session addressed whether we should improve our elections by implementing reforms such as ranked choice voting, proportional representation, and the abolition of the electoral college.

      Over 160 people participated in 19 D Teams to discuss these topics. They met for two hours every couple of weeks either in person or online. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with over 96% reporting that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with their D Team experience.

      Fall 2022 D Team Testimonials

      Below are testimonials from some of the participants and some snapshots from some of our in-person D Team meetings:

      “I thoroughly enjoyed all the discussions in my D Team meetings. Despite participants from both sides of the political divide, it was refreshing to realize that we still have much in common. [Our facilitator] did a good job of pulling everyone in and keeping the discussions (or even disagreements friendly). The country would benefit from more such conversations.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “I thoroughly enjoyed the three sessions and talking with the other participants. Our moderator did a great job of keeping us on schedule when that was needed and allowing us to take more time on a topic where we had a good discussion going.” Rick Whitener ’73

      “I had such a positive D Team experience. I really wasn’t sure what to expect and it absolutely exceeded my expectations. Our team had such interesting, thoughtful conversations that typically resulted in many of us saying, “You know, I realize I don’t know a lot about x” and going to do some additional research. It really helped me to see how much I don’t know about a lot of these topics, and even within a group of people who (I think) have fairly similar political leanings, there was a lot of diversity in our perspectives and priorities. We left our last session saying we’ll never look at elections in quite the same way again, because our conversations helped us to consider things we’d previously taken for granted (e.g., who in your state gets to vote, how do they get to vote, when can they vote?) – I feel a lot more informed and able to speak more confidently to both sides of the issues we discussed. Thanks so much for a fantastic opportunity! Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “My experience on the D Team was rich and rewarding. The student facilitator was informed and engaged, encouraging each participant to share his or her voice in the discussion while also asking thoughtful questions and helping us reach meaningful insights. I look forward to the next opportunity to be involved in a D Team gathering.” Natalie Akin ‘05

      “I appreciated the DCI framework as it gave me a chance to discuss issues without as much polarizing language as public discourse seems to have currently. I was encouraged that while all may not have attributed issues to the same cause, all were open to common solutions to the problems.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “Engaging in the DCI helped me step out of my localized bubble of friends and colleagues. Sharing time and ideas with people who all cared about Davidson, an institution that means a lot to me, was not only enjoyable, but it was rewarding. I’ll be back for more D Teams in the future! Stephen Powell

      “The D Team meeting proved to be a redemptive experience for me. When I was a student at Davidson in the 90s, I felt like such a political outlier. Politically active conservative students were frequently dismissive and rude towards my more liberal beliefs, which is not unexpected, but sometimes they crossed the line into anonymous threats, which made it difficult to feel like I was a valued part of a robust learning environment. Instead, I felt very much like an unwelcome outsider, an interloper into their cozy boys club.

      The conservative administrative leadership in the 90s didn’t help. It was patronizing and condescending to those of us trying to move the needle toward making Davidson a more inclusive environment. Thank goodness for the excellent professors and staff, particularly in the Campus Ministry and the College Union, who pushed against that administrative perspective. They are the adults who made me feel like I could belong in such a different place. They were the ones who held space for the square pegs who didn’t want to shave off our edges to fit in the conservative round holes.

      To have an opportunity to engage politically with a multi-generational group of students and alumni on the D Team, to feel heard and valued by those people, helped me contextualize those college years. Hearing that it is now conservative students who experience the discomfort that I felt back then also helped me build empathy. I have more confidence that Davidson can continue to move forward in building a community in which multiple contradicting political beliefs can be challenged without challenging the essential humanity of the individuals holding them.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “It is so important that we learn to talk in meaningful ways about tough issues.  D Team allowed me to experience this in a safe, structured environment. Our D Team discussions have given me the confidence to expand my conversations about election related topics with all my friends and family.  That was so rewarding to me personally. I hope these continue and become a permanent part of what Davidson can give back to the community.” Kim McLendon

      “My D Team experience allowed me to have rich discussions with a mix of students, staff, and alumni. I particularly enjoyed the diversity in our ages and backgrounds. The written guides and our facilitator helped me feel prepared to participate in topics I had little experience in discussing, especially outside of my own friend group.” Amy, Davidson Staff Member

      “Outstanding opportunity. I learned much from the readings and even more from fellow participants. Respectful, open discussion. I reconsidered my view and perspective. I highly recommend others join.

      These were refreshing and nourishing conversations. I enjoyed hearing other people’s perspectives on issues I care very deeply about. The structure of the sessions led to good solid conversations.” Tom Moore

      “The DCI experience was exactly what I had envisioned — it was a chance to ‘practice’ being less judgmental, active listening, and expressing my views in a constructive way. Thank you to the students who both facilitated the conversations and who participated in the meetings — your presence really added to the experience. Lisa McNeilly ’86

      “I highly recommend joining a D team to help build appreciation for how diverse people’s views are and what it would take to build consensus with any proposed change.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “This was a very engaging and insightful experience. I enjoyed interacting with persons of diverse opinions and locales. It is good not to be in an echochamber.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “Our discussions were informative, stimulating and led me to think more thoroughly about the issues.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “The DCI experience is one of the rare opportunities in these contentious times that cross-generational, and cross-political perspectives can be shared and engaged within a respectful discussion.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “Not only did I learn more about the discussion topics, but I feel much more confident engaging with others having different perspectives, hopefully resulting in mutually respectful learning and sharing and sharing of ideas.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “This D Team experience was amazing.  The participants spanned ages from 18 – 80.  The team included equal numbers of women and men.  The group included US born, an immigrant, and one from a foreign country.  In included on person for whom this was the first contact with Davidson. Consequently, there was a broad range of experience with the subject matter, as well as a fairly wide continuum of opinion about the voting practices.  Our DCI leader was able to glide us through our discussion in a seamless way. She introduced each section with ease and had a natural way of including members of the group which was very inviting. When there was a clustering of opinion, she would often introduce other perspectives to assure that we were thoroughly considering points of view that were not present in our discussion. After the three sessions I came to realize that I knew less about the subject than I thought I knew when I joined the group. As a result of the background reading, I feel that I have learned a great deal about elections and voting. Now, I feel a need to read and learn more in this subject matter.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “The Deliberate Citizenship Initiative has been a very positive experience for me– exactly the kind of thing a college like Davidson should be doing. Learning across generations, out of our normal comfort zones, in many senses student-led, timely and relevant topics — all in all a worthy effort.  I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and encourage others to as well.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      “I signed up to participate in a D Team experience hoping to gain skills that would help me feel more equipped to engage in dialog across political difference, and I was not disappointed. The structure and content of the discussions were great – as was the opportunity to be in conversation with a humble and inquisitive group.” Erica Caloiero

      “My D Team experience was awesome! Turns out I really didn’t know much about election processes and nuances, but what a great opportunity this was to learn more. The discussions were interesting, engaging, respectful, and ably led by a great student facilitator.” Fall 2022 D Team Participant

      DCI Co-Hosts Deliberative Forum on Parents and Schools

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      deliberators at the Davidson College 900 room.

      On September 29, 2022, the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, in partnership with Davidson College’s Educational Studies Department and Political Science Department, co-hosted a Deliberative Forum on “Parents and Schools: Who Should Teach our Children about Race, Gender, and Sexuality.” The event included both an expert panel discussion and small group deliberations on the topic.

      The DCI selects both locally and nationally relevant topics for its forums that citizens – in the broadest sense of the word – have strongly-held, diverse, and conflicting views on and are highly salient to current and ongoing social and political debates. The topic of this forum certainly fits this description, and the strength of views on the topic were demonstrated by the student protests that were held outside the event. Protesters objected to the inclusion of Dr. Melissa Moschella, an associate professor of philosophy at Catholic University, on the panel due to her views on abortion, race, and transgender issues.

      As background, the DCI invites panelists to its Deliberative Forums in order to introduce attendees to diverse perspectives on the topic at hand and provide an opportunity for them to witness good argument and a thoughtful, respectful exchange of reasons between people who may disagree deeply. The DCI does NOT endorse the views of any of the panelists it invites but selects them based on the depth and relevance of their expertise to the topic under discussion.

      panelists

      The DCI is committed to the idea that listening to speakers with whom we disagree does not imply agreement; it suggests a willingness to seek out the truth together and to better understand one another’s perspective as fellow citizens with equal status at the table. Melissa Moschella and Derek Black, the event’s other invited panelist, are two of the most highly-qualified and well-published scholars who can speak to the contentious questions surrounding the role of schools and parents in educating children about social issues.

      Given their diverse viewpoints, panelists like Dr. Moschella and Dr. Black may hold views that some citizens reasonably find offensive. The DCI is committed to creating spaces for people to engage with, evaluate, and challenge these positions in a productive and civil manner.

      More generally, the DCI is committed to catalyzing creative, broadly-supported solutions to the major social challenges facing our community and society – including racism, sexism, and other forms of injustice – through the process of deliberation across differences.

      The video of the event is posted below, and we invite everyone to view the panel discussion, which was moderated by Professor Dan Layman, an associate professor of philosophy at Davidson and a co-convener of the DCI. Dr. Layman asked direct questions of each panelist while also allowing them to follow-up on each other’s points. Their discussion was followed by an hour-long opportunity for attendees to engage with one another on these topics in discussions facilitated by the DCI’s trained facilitators. Periods when we had some technical difficulties (this was our first hybrid in-person/virtual event) and when the discussion was temporarily disrupted by protesters have been edited from the video; all comments from the panelists are still included.

      Upcoming Deliberative Forum on Parents and Schools: Who Should Teach Our Kids about Race, Gender, and Sexuality?

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      The Davidson College Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, Educational Studies Department, and Political Science Department invite you to join us for a Deliberative Forum on “Parents and Schools: Who Should Teach our Kids about Race, Gender, and Sexuality?” Both in-person and online attendance options are available, but space is limited. The event will be held on Thursday, September 29 from 7 pm to 9 pm, and you may register to attend on EventBrite here.

      Tensions surrounding responsibilities for teaching children about race, gender, and sexuality have become a prominent source of political debate. Some argue that it is the job of educators and schools to support students’ various identities, regardless of whether their parents are uncomfortable or anxious about such information. Others argue that parents ought to have control over what their children learn regarding complicated racial, sexuality, and gender matters.

      This Deliberative Forum will enable participants to explore this important issue, first by hearing from a panel of experts on this issue, and then by actively deliberating with one another in facilitated small group discussions on how best to understand and engage with the tensions surrounding parents, schools, and childhood education about contentious social issues. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from experts, listen to the perspectives of others, and share your own ideas about the roles of parents and schools in educating children about contentious social issues.

      The event is free but registration is required. We request that all registrants plan to attend both the panel and the small group discussions, which are designed to complement each other. Spaces are limited due to the number of trained DCI facilitators we have available to moderate the small group discussions. You may be placed on a waitlist if our capacity is reached; we will let you know if spaces open up. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as we can so please don’t hesitate to get on the waitlist.

      Panelist Bios:

      Derek Black is Professor of Law and the Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of South Carolina’s School of Law. Professor Black’s work focuses on school funding and equality for disadvantaged students, and his books Education Law: Equality, Fairness and Reform and Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy and articles on “The Fundamental Right to Education” and “Charter Schools, Vouchers, and the Public Good” are particularly relevant to the forum’s topic. Professor Black began his career litigating education cases at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and teaching at Howard University School of Law, where he founded the Education Rights Center. He received his JD from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and his BA in African American Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science from the University of Tennessee.

      Melissa Moschella is an Associate Professor in the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. Professor Moschella has written extensively on the rights of parents in education, including her dissertation on “Parental Rights in Education,” her 2016 Cambridge University Press book on To Whom Do Children Belong? Parental Rights, Civic Education, and Children’s Autonomy, and a recent paper in the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics, and Public Policy on “Defending the Fundamental Rights of Parents: A Response to Recent Attacks.” Professor Moschella is also a McDonald Distinguished Fellow at the Emory University Center for the Study of Law and Religion, and has served as a Myser Fellow at the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture. She received her PhD in political philosophy from Princeton University and her bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Harvard University.

      Daniel Layman, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Davidson College and a Co-Convener of the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, will moderate the panel discussion.