Citizen Engagement – The Democracy Kitchen

The Knight Foundation is responsible for bringing together 100 civic innovators from across the country to Miami this week to “tackle some of the thorniest questions on the future of cities.” Dubbed the “Civic Innovation in Action Studio,” Knight hopes to “develop a set of investment-worthy experiments that will be piloted in communities” to tackle challenges around harnessing talent, advancing opportunity and increasing engagement.

Most of these challenges surround the strength and quality of a community’s civic infrastructure. Civic Infrastructure has been defined as “the foundation for our democracy” and “the mechanism where key community stakeholders can address systemic problems and work towards solutions.” It’s also been defined as the system of “social connections, decision-making processes, difficult conversations and informal networks that influence how the people in a community function.”

Suffice it to say there is enough substance within these definitions to establish a sense of organization and purpose for what constitutes a civic infrastructure. Other descriptions may touch on the soul, vibe or rhythm of the social and economic connectivity within a community. What we are looking at is whether its presence is strong or weak and whether it is deeply rooted in a community or a mere veneer that exists only in terminology.

The Knight Foundation and its “civic innovator participants” will wrestle not only with answers for solutions but also with questions surrounding the challenges.

“Civics” and “citizenship” are common terms that will be tossed about during this three day event. These terms have enjoyed a long history and tradition in our nation and communities. However, our nation and its cities have transformed and it’s time we reconsider what those terms mean in today’s society and economy.

We also have to reexamine society’s role and its different components in these areas. What is the role of government and the public sector? How has public policy impacted communities? What is the role of citizens (now more appropriately identified as “residents”)? How has diversification within society and income levels impacted communities? What is the role of the private sector? Has private resources or lack thereof had an impact on communities?

What about new challenges from sweeping changes in communication and information sharing technologies? And just as equally, how can these changes help address and devise solutions?

I don’t believe anyone expects a silver bullet to come from these short proceedings this week in Miami. Societal changes are incremental no matter how fast and expansive information travels and personal connectivity can occur today. I’d settle for a couple of “A-ha” moments that give direction to further exploration, which, I suspect Knight is seeking as it continues its admirable investment to improve America’s civic infrastructure.

I recently waded into a political discussion on my Facebook feed started by a very politically passionate relative who has many, many ultra-politically passionate “friends” of whom I know none of them. Anyway, I shared a differing POV with the participants and even tinged it with a little humor (at least what I thought to be humor). The hailstorm was unleashed. What had I done? No name calling, no slanderous comments, no one-upmanship; I just shared a different POV of how I saw the topic.

In Florida, the “Mean Season” is the mid- to late-Summer thunder storms that affect the state’s southern weather almost daily noted by huge downpours and lightning strikes. Political season could also be called the mean season. But I don’t remember it always being that way.

Now, many people who voice an opinion or point of view seem to be intolerant of anyone who doesn’t share that same view. Make a dissenting comment in response and you’ve instantly got an Army of haters lined up to shut you down –like a proverbial kicking in the teeth.

In this threaded discussion, or threaded tongue lashing, I simply tried to state I disagreed and was entitled to voice an opinion. That didn’t help. When I finally went mute, the others saw it as a victory and continued to pelt me with triumphant comments that my silence was an admission that I was wrong and they were right. I never thought anyone was going for a “win” in the discussion.

No wonder I see less political yard signs and bumper stickers today so as not to rile an opposing side. I read where many offices restrict political discussions from occurring in their workplaces so as “not to offend” fellow workers. Really? Offend?

Government is a representation of (all) the citizens it serves, and electing people into office is how citizens actively participate and influence that representative process. Government is not sports; it’s democracy.

So however, you plan to participate in this upcoming national election whether as a spectator or a player (note the sports analogy), there are levels of involvement you may want to consider as you navigate those waters. Just like a police officer who patrols Beverly Hills or South Bronx, your level of sensitivity will be affected by your surroundings. My advice? As Hill Street Blues’ Sgt. Phil Esterhaus (played by actor Michael Conrad) would always say as his trademark phrase at the conclusion of roll call: “Let’s be careful out there.”