What does Democracy mean to you? What does a person need to do to be a good citizen? How often, if ever, do we stop and think about important concepts that are part of how we identify ourselves? On Friday, November 11th we are asking Veterans to share their thoughts on Democracy and Citizenship with us on this special day designated to honor them.
A special panel of Veterans will lead this discussion during the Veterans Day program at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus at 10:00 a.m. in the Willie Mae Dunn Library. This topic, location, and the special day set aside to thank our veterans fits so perfectly with the traveling Smithsonian Museum on Main Street currently featured in the library. The Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibit tells the story about the “great leap of faith” of the revolutionaries who created the framework for the completely new form of government created by the constitution. The exhibit leads visitors through the evolution and necessary changes on the path to form “a more perfect union.” Who better to honor among this exhibit than those who have served our country in the most selfless form of citizenship?
Along with the veterans on the panel, we are especially hopeful that veterans from the community will share their thoughts on what democracy and good citizenship means to them. If you turn on the news at any time of the day, you will hear many reports on division in the country and how our democracy is being threatened. We hope to provide an opportunity to share beliefs reminding us we are all in this together! As Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1938, “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” We also need to remember the phrase opening the United States Constitution “We the people.”
While the Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes has been at Co-Lin, we have had several student groups, with ages ranging from 14 to over 21, tour the exhibit and participate in activities to make them think about different concepts surrounding democracy. At one point, they are asked if they think their vote makes a difference and overwhelmingly their response was positive. There is a great quote from John Dewey in the exhibit that speaks so perfectly for the purpose of Voices and Votes: Democracy in America and the reason for this event; “Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.” This is true for Americans of all ages.
All are invited to attend the program for a non-political discussion on Democracy and to take the time to honor the Veterans who have helped sustain and protect our country. American Democracy is unique and imperfect, but we know it is still the best form of government in the world, so let us take time on November 11th at 10:00 a.m. to recognize our Veterans, hear their voices, and to also think about what democracy means us.
– Beth Richard, Director of Library Services, Co-Lin Natchez Campus
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