New Jersey's Democracy Conversation
In spring 2022, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities collected hundreds of responses from individuals throughout the state as part of our Democracy Conversation Project. Via both an online form and "ballot boxes" located at partner sites throughout the state, New Jerseyans provided their thoughts in response to four questions about our democracy:
- What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
- What do you remember about the first time you voted?
- What does it mean to be a good citizen?
- Why is voting important to you?
Responses were accepted in written, audio, video, and visual formats. They were compiled and displayed in interactive format on this page, below. Responses can be filtered by age of the respondent (when provided), as well as keyword tag, question prompt, and response type.
Visualizing Democracy Commissions
In summer 2023, NJCH announced the commissions of two projects aiming to explore, analyze, and visualize the responses in new and interactive ways. Commissions were awarded in response to a call for proposals.
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
The first project, above, is a brief animated video exploring the themes found in responses to the question "What does it mean to be a good citizen?" The video was created by filmmaker April Merl of South Orange.
The Misinformation Newspaper
The second project, above, is a digital newspaper expounding on DCP responses related to misinformation as a challenge to democracy. It was created by artist and educator Melody Marshall of Woodbury.
All Responses
Filters
“Be responsible for your own actions”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“A good citizen is involved in their community”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Making sure all have a place at the table”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Hyper partisanship coupled with dishonesty”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Being informed about the issues from reliable sources”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Rampant anti-Asian racism”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Loss of emotioanalism and pragmatism”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Trusting stories in the media as a truth or fake”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“To dare to enter the debate”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Get a good education”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Be informed – engage – vote”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Being adequately informed on issues facing our democracy”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“To be informed about issues facing your community”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Uninformed citizens”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Cancel culture”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Misinformation or contradictory information”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“two separate worlds”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“dishonesty…censorship”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“media not reporting facts”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“culture of quickness”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
At NJCH, we believe that everyone should have access to humanities programming. Based on your organization and desired topics/formats, we offer programs—often subsidized by our federal and corporate funding—so that you can bring high quality humanities programs to your audiences.
