Writer and activist empowers ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to practice everyday democracy
Adrienne Maree Brown spoke about fostering connections, embracing authenticity, and engaging in grassroots efforts to strengthen democracy.
Writer and activist empowers ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to practice everyday democracy
Students gained insights and inspiration about “Doing Democracy in Our Everyday Lives,” a special Feb. 19 webinar in which Adrienne Maree Brown, co-founder and former director of the United States League of Young Voters, emphasized connection and authenticity as drivers of change.
The well-attended event was hosted by the Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation, whose director is Jacqueline Daugherty, and led by Amber Franklin, associate professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology and member of the Oxford City Council. Brown (who typically represents her name in lowercase) shared the importance of fostering meaningful, non-transactional relationships and embracing one's authentic self. She told her online audience that these are essential steps in building a more resilient and inclusive democratic society.
“There’s so many ways that I see us needing each other,” Brown said. “It’s interesting in this moment because we’re being isolated.”
She explained that people rely on one another for support and resilience, much like how ecosystems thrive through interdependence, drawing parallels to biodiversity in nature.
“A lot of people don’t understand how the system actually functions,” Brown said. “Most people don’t recognize that they can introduce a bill, that they can actually initiate the process.”
According to Brown, a resilient democracy thrives when individuals pursue their passions and actively engage in the issues that matter to them.
"The parts of democracy are the people," she said. Beyond formal political processes, Brown emphasized that democracy is shaped by daily interactions. From community organizing to small acts of solidarity, she encouraged individuals to foster meaningful connections, seek common ground, and take purposeful action toward a more just society.
“If we don’t become scholars of belonging, focused on belonging, there’s no way any of this will work,” she said. “We’re not going to save anything if we’re so busy trying to figure out how to be right instead of how to be in a right relationship.”
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session that provided attendees with deeper insights on integrating daily democratic practices. Students who attended Brown’s presentation were encouraged to build stronger community connections and gained a deeper appreciation for the power of civic engagement.
“The purpose of the webinar was to educate the community about how we can move forward together and rebuild our community relationships in such a polarized time,” said Franklin.
The Western College Legacy Seminars at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ aim to foster discussion on critical global issues, bringing together faculty, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs, and the community. The 2024-2026 theme, Democracy and Transformation, coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of Freedom Summer on the Western campus. The seminars are supported by the Western College Alumnae Association and feature expert-led debates that encourage understanding and respectful dialogue.