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
“The ’72 Nixon-McGovern election”
What do you remember about the first time you voted?
“Legislative stagnation”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Things change drastically between parties”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Hyper partisanship coupled with dishonesty”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Us vs. them mentalities”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The polarization of our bipartisan system”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Extreme positioning to activate their base”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“We have a hard time finding common ground”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Loss of emotioanalism and pragmatism”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“We turn inward, harden our own beliefs”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Both parties blame each other”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Unable to agree on almost anything”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Technology has allowed for ‘group think/echo chamber’ environments to flourish.”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Polarized views”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Extreme polarization”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The lack of unity”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Republicans and Democrats are becoming politically polarized”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Creeping authoritarianism”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“far right terrorists”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“one party that is totalitarian”
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.
