Using blogs to ‘grow’ democracy

DemocracySpace will celebrate its first birthday next month, and we’ve been doing lots of thinking about how it’s doing, and how to make it even better. While its primary writer, Julie Fanselow, is away this week, I’m sneaking in here to talk with you about what we’re hoping to accomplish with our blog and online organizing. I hope you’ll spend a few minutes thinking with us. Then, let us know your thoughts.

Our big goal is to expand the reach and use of online spaces to help grow democracy - at the local and national levels - where citizens are at the center. We see this blog as a place where this kind of democracy comes to life, and where people – from grassroots community activists to civic engagement experts to public officials – connect with one another and with the latest news, ideas, and opportunities in the democracy field.

DemocracySpace helps local activists, organizers, and officials see how their work relates to the greater movement for social and civic change. The blog also helps democracy theorists discover and learn about practical, real-world examples of how democracy is strengthened when more, and more diverse, people take part in problem solving and decision making.

We hope we’re a good source of information and inspiration on all kinds of topics. If you’re a regular reader, you’ve noticed that we pay particular attention to the issue of racial equity. We understanding that racial equity is a prerequisite for moving forward in many other areas of community life. As race again takes center stage in our national discourse, we will be sharing what we and many local communities are learning about creating racial equity and forging stronger connections for the work ahead.

Here’s what we’re trying to do:

• Give voice to local community organizers, link their voices to the voices of others, and support their work to take action on a variety of issues. We have found that one of the greatest challenges that people face is feeling alone in their work, and not having the language to use to explain it or link it to others. And often, when they read the work of pundits and analysts, they feel that the vibrant work they are doing is left out of the equation – and they are right.   
• Coach and empower young people and people of color to become active bloggers, to use the Internet to build more inclusive democracy in their own communities and to connect to others who are doing the same around the country.
• Help media, pundits, and democratic theorists discover and point to real-world examples. We provide concrete examples to bring democracy to life through stories, photos, and videos. It helps put examples into the mainstream media, with an aim to strengthen media messages about democracy.

Are we doing it? How do you use this space? Are we “growing” democracy?

Comments

[Jon Abercrombie]

You continue to post interesting, professional and thought producing articles, ideas and conversations about what democracy means.

You are doing it at a time when the values of democracy are often ignored.

Keep up the good work.

Abie

[Julie Fanselow]

Abie, thanks for the words of validation.

It's tempting to think that the lack of feedback here indicates we're missing the mark. However, I know people are extremely busy, and we know people often read the blog without commenting, and still take something of value away.

So we'll keep on keeping on, although I always welcome feedback - here on this thread or emailed to me at jfanselow@everyday-democracy.org - on what we can do better, suggested stories, interesting links, etc.

We are especially eager to keep showcasing posts from communities around the country. We've had a real upswing in those lately, and I'll continue to encourage people to post their stories, videos, etc. here at DemocracySpace. Anyone interested can email me for the details.