RECENT EVENTS ONCE AGAIN have reminded us why the first “step to democracy” in The Civic Circle’s program is “Listen,” by which we mean be civil, respect others, build bridges, and resolve conflicts peacefully. Sometimes students think “Listen” means simply stop talking and pay attention, but they soon learn that it goes much deeper than that. The concept that civility is essential to democracy goes all the way back to our founding. The very idea that we can transfer power peacefully, by voting, as opposed to engaging in war or insurrection, is contingent on mutual tolerance and respect. Intensifying violence in American public life, most recently with the abhorrent assassination of Charlie Kirk, threatens democracy directly. Our mission is to build compassionate, informed, engaged citizens—and compassion always comes first.
“THE ART OF DEMOCRACY” is almost here, and if you haven’t bought your tickets, now is the time! So often, amid assaults on humanistic values and civil institutions, we hear the refrain: “What can we do? What can I do?” A simple thing you can do is support democracy and civic learning. Our students are exercising their civic muscles, and you will, too, when you hear inspiring remarks by our featured speaker, Civic Nation CEO Kyle Lierman, and enjoy delicious refreshments and civic arts activities with some of our region’s most dynamic youth leaders, educators, and community members. You also won’t want to miss celebrating Silver Spring Town Center Executive Director Lisa Martin, our “Art of Service” award recipient, for all her civic and cultural contributions to Silver Spring. Be there on Thursday, October 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building. To sponsor, click HERE. For tickets, click HERE or email info@theciviccircle.org. We hope to see you there!
Speaking of the Silver Spring Town Center, we extend thanks to SSTC for inviting The Civic Circle to participate in the recent “Follow Your Bliss” panel with other social and arts entrepreneurs at the Koiner Farm. We also invite you to stop by the Civic Circle table at SSTC’s Harvest Moon Festival on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Plaza. Swing by for treats, answer a quick, fun civics question for some swag, and enter your name for a chance to win two tickets to our October 23 “Art of Civics” celebration. You’ll also get to meet Civic Circle board members Daniel Obregan, Catherine Sheehy, and Neetha Tangirala, as well as our new AmeriCorps VISTA team member Erykah Joseph.
THESE ARE CHALLENGING TIMES for democracy, but The Civic Circle is meeting the moment with expanded programming, and a redoubled commitment to the shared values that unite us, including tolerance, truth, equality, justice and freedom. If you would like to support our October 23 “The Art of Democracy” celebration and support our work today, please click HERE.