TED Radio Hour Listen Again - Baratunde Thurston: How To Citizen
Mar 26, 2021
Baratunde Thurston, a writer, comedian, and political commentator, dives into the art of active citizenship. He emphasizes the transformative power of revolutionary love in bridging divides and highlights the importance of nonviolent action for social change. Through personal stories and humor, he challenges listeners to engage with democracy and communal responsibility. The discussion also touches on the unique struggles faced by marginalized communities, advocating for empathy and solidarity in protest movements while promoting health and empowerment among Black women.
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Believing in Democracy
- Eric Liu stresses that democracy requires active belief and participation, not blind faith.
- Civic Saturdays create spaces for discussing important civic questions and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Society is How We Behave
- Eric Liu argues that societal problems like homelessness and gun violence are the result of collective habits and omissions.
- Baratunde Thurston notes the decline of community spaces like bowling leagues and block parties has hindered our ability to connect and address these issues.
An Ongoing Experiment
- The U.S. is striving to be Earth's first mass multiracial democratic republic, a challenging and ongoing experiment.
- Focus on progress and continuous improvement, even if perfection feels distant.