Can We Talk?

"So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof…" -- JFK Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

As the country examines the tone of political dialogue, the National Constitution Center will host an interactive, interdisciplinary forum titled "Can We Talk? A Conversation about Civility and Democracy in America."  The forum will explore the current state of public discourse and the issue of civility in the context of the roles that dissent and protest play in American politics.

Participants, drawn from such fields as history, political philosophy, political science, law, sociology, journalism, and communications will guide public discussion of key themes such as the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, the concept of civic virtue, the importance of dissent and deliberation in America's constitutional democracy, and the ways in which political actors and the media can contribute to or detract from productive public discourse.

The goals of the forum are, first, to generate a deeper and more nuanced understanding of dissent and civility throughout the American experience, and second, to generate ideas about what kinds of tools, systems, best practices, or other frameworks might contribute to greater civility without impeding the vibrancy of our democracy.

The symposium is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities' Bridging Cultures program, which awarded grants in August 2010 for a series of national conversations on civility. The Center's conference is the culminating event of the series. PBS is the official media partner.

Tickets are required. Reserve your seats at 215.409.6700.

Join the conversation now at blog.constitutioncenter.org.

Earn Act 48 Continuing Education Units for attending the public programs.

Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.