Consider This: Reinventing American Democracy with Danielle Allen
A conversation about the failings and challenges of democracy in the United States and what we can do about them with Danielle Allen, director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center. How can we find common purpose to build a stronger democratic society amid today’s complex political climate?
Consider This: Our Place in the World with Ben Rhodes
A conversation about geopolitics, American power, and public service with Ben Rhodes, a former national security and diplomacy advisor to President Barack Obama and host of the Pod Save the World podcast. How much should the general public know or understand about global affairs and foreign policy? How do the US government’s actions on the world stage respond to public interest? How do people who work on those policies respond when their understanding of the public interest differs from the majority of public opinion? Ben Rhodes is a writer, political commentator, and national security analyst. He is the author of After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritarianism in the World We've Made and The World As It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House. From 2009–17, he served as a speechwriter and Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama. Rhodes is currently cohost of the podcast Pod Save the World; a contributor for MSNBC; and chair of National Security Action.
Consider This: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century with Danielle Allen
A conversation about the failings and challenges of democracy in the United States and what we can do about them with Danielle Allen, director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center. How can we find common purpose to build a stronger democratic society amid today’s complex political climate?
Consider This: Our Place in the World with Ben Rhodes
A conversation about geopolitics, American power, and public service with Ben Rhodes, a former national security and diplomacy advisor to President Barack Obama and host of the Pod Save the World podcast.
From the Director: West of Boardman
Adam Davis on John Dewey, democracy, and public restrooms
From Hedge to Hedge
Wendy Willis on the potential of a democracy for what is
Consider This with Dahlia Lithwick
Join us for a conversation about law, justice, and the public interest with Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent at Slate and host of the Amicus podcast about law and the Supreme Court.
Consider This: Preserving Democracy for Future Generations with Manu Meel
Join us on November 10 for a conversation about preserving democracy for future generations with Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA.
Conversation Project: What Does Democracy Require?
As we begin, however tentatively, to move into a new moment in US political life, calls for unity are often met with skepticism and disdain. But perhaps unity is the wrong measure of democracy anyway. What if we ask instead, Who are our people? Where do we belong? In this moment coming out of the pandemic, let’s think together about expanding the scope of our people and what it means to belong so that we can consider what democracy requires of us and for us in this fraught moment.
Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen
Join Josephine Community Library for Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen, facilitated by policy researcher Charles F. Rund, on March 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library.
Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen
Join Josephine Community Library for Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen, facilitated by policy researcher Charles F. Rund, on March 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library.
Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen
Join Josephine Community Library for Consider This: Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen, facilitated by policy researcher Charles F. Rund, on March 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library.
Putting in the Work
This comic by Jonathan Hill explores how people can stay engaged in politics and advocate for the changes they want to see outside of major election cycles.
Democracy in America: Who? - FULL
This five-part discussion series facilitated by David Gutterman invites participants to gather together for conversations about the essential elements of what it means to be a democratic citizen in the United States today.
Democracy in America: What? - FULL
This five-part discussion series facilitated by David Gutterman invites participants to gather together for conversations about the essential elements of what it means to be a democratic citizen in the United States today.
Democracy in America: Where? - FULL
This five-part discussion series facilitated by David Gutterman invites participants to gather together for conversations about the essential elements of what it means to be a democratic citizen in the United States today.
Democracy in America: When? - FULL
This five-part discussion series facilitated by David Gutterman invites participants to gather together for conversations about the essential elements of what it means to be a democratic citizen in the United States today.
Democracy in America: How? - FULL
This five-part discussion series facilitated by David Gutterman invites participants to gather together for conversations about the essential elements of what it means to be a democratic citizen in the United States today.
Charter Review
This comic by Beka Feathers and Aki Ruiz explains Portland's charter review process.
Putting in the Work
This comic by Jonathan Hill explores how people can stay engaged in politics and advocate for the changes they want to see outside of major election cycles.
Who's Being Left Out?
Lucy Bellwood illustrates the history of voting rights in Oregon and efforts to expand who gets a say in our democracy.
Consider This with Astra Taylor
A live conversation with filmmaker and writer Astra Taylor, director of the documentary What Is Democracy? and author of Democracy May Not Exist, but We’ll Miss It When It’s Gone.
Connect in Place: What Does Democracy Require?
Join David Gutterman for a conversation about what democracy requires of us and for us in this fraught moment.
Consider This with Eric K. Ward
Our 2020–21 Consider This conversation series is all about democracy and civic engagement—how it works, who gets to participate, and how it can break down. We're hosting live conversations with journalists and scholars with insight into how our democracy is working and the threats it faces. On April 7, join Eric K. Ward, director of Western States Center, for a conversation on democracy, participation, and justice.
The Fire is Upon Us
On February 18, 1965, an overflowing crowd packed the Cambridge Union in Cambridge, England, to witness a historic televised debate between James Baldwin, the leading literary voice of the civil rights movement, and William F. Buckley Jr., a fierce critic of the movement and America’s most influential conservative intellectual. The topic was “the American dream is at the expense of the American Negro,” and no one who has seen the debate can soon forget it. Forest Grove Public Library presents this online program featuring Nicholas Buccola, Elizabeth and Morris Glicksman Chair in Political Science at Linfield University and author of The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America, in conversation with Dr. Paul Snell, Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Pacific University. This event will stream live to the library's Facebook page and YouTube channel starting at 6:30 pm and will include a Q&A session at the end of the evening. This program is made possible with support from Oregon Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Consider This with David French
Our 2020–21 Consider This conversation series is all about democracy and civic engagement—how it works, who gets to participate, and how it can fail. On February 2, join us for a conversation with David French, author of Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.
Consider This with Hahrie Han
Our 2020–21 Consider This conversation series is all about democracy and civic engagement—how it works, who gets to participate, and how it can fail. On February 16, join us for a conversation with Hahrie Han, director of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Think & Drink: Why Voting Matters
Jackson County Library Services presents a panel discussion with Jackson County Clerk Christine Walker, Associate Professor of Political Science William Hughes from Southern Oregon University, and Cathy Shaw a successful campaign manager, three-time mayor of Ashland, and President of the Jackson County Library District Board of Directors. This program is sponsored by Oregon Humanities.
Connect in Place: What Just Happened? What Happens Next?
One week after election day, Adam Davis will facilitate an online community conversation about the results of federal, state, and local elections. This statewide conversation will focus less on the numbers than on the significance of these results for ourselves and our communities.
Consider This with Jamelle Bouie
One week before Election Day, New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie will talk with Oregon Humanities about democracy, moments of transition, and the significance of this particularly charged political moment. Bouie has been an observer of political culture and someone whose work has shaped culture—in print, on television, on twitter, and even through his photography—and as we talk about the political moment, we'll also explore the relationship between politics and culture.
Virtual Think & Drink with Senator Ron Wyden and Clive Thompson
Think & Drink goes online for a special conversation with US Senator Ron Wyden and journalist Clive Thompson on democracy and the internet, May 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Organizing from the Outside
Jyothi Natarajan talks with Oregonians finding connection while protesting oppression in Kashmir from afar.
Essential but Excluded
Carolina Gómez-Montoya writes about the precarious and disempowered place adjunct instructors occupy in institutions that have come to depend on their labor.
One Country Again
Astrid Melton reflects on her East German identity after the fall of the wall and reunification.
Dear Stranger
Dear Stranger is a letter-exchange project that connects Oregonians through the mail to share experiences, beliefs, and ideas.
Think & Drink with Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Eddy Morales, and Ana del Rocío
Join former Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales, and Ana del Rocío, executive director of Oregon Futures Lab, for a conversation about running for and holding public office.
Think & Drink with John Haroldson, Adrienne Nelson, and Shannon Wight
Join us January 22 for an onstage conversation on democracy, justice, and the American court system.
Think & Drink with Desmond Meade
Join us for an onstage conversation about voting rights and the future of democracy with Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Meade is a formerly homeless returning citizen who overcame many obstacles to eventually lead the FRRC to a historic victory in 2018 with the successful passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizen’s initiative which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. He is also chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy and a graduate of Florida International University College of Law. At this event, Meade will appear in conversation with Adam Davis, executive director of Oregon Humanities. Think & Drink is an onstage conversation series that explores provocative ideas and fresh perspectives. Come prepared to listen, watch, and engage. We invite you to stay after the program for snacks and conversation. Minors are welcome when accompanied by an adult. The Alberta Rose Theatre is accessible by Trimet bus lines 17, 70, and 72. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Think & Drink with Desmond Meade
The 2019–20 Think & Drink series, Making Democracy, kicks off with the executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
Think & Drink Portland 2019–20: Making Democracy
Four onstage conversations with activists, writers and civic leaders about how we make decisions together in our communities
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
Conversation Project: Democracy from the Inside Out
Listening to Our Consciences and Our Neighbors
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
Conversation Project: Democracy from the Inside Out
Listening to Our Consciences and Our Neighbors
Conversation Project: Democracy from the Inside Out
Listening to Our Consciences and Our Neighbors
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
You Are Being Watched
The United States’ long history of turning citizens against one another. An excerpt from Joshua Reeves' Citizen Spies: The Long Rise of America’s Surveillance Society, reprinted with permission from New York University Press.
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
Conversation Project: In Science We Trust?
The Role of Science in a Democracy
The Longest of Long Shots
A Sanders delegate's brush with national party politics. An essay by Valdez Bravo
The Good Fight
Can letting our children roughhouse lead to a better democracy? An essay by Sarah Gilbert