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 majority of politicians are lying to people”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The ultra-right white ‘Christians.'”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The apathy of our young”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“I can’t vote for any of these candidates”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The Republicans”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“The people with money and the Republicans who serve them pose a threat”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Politicians are owned by corporations”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Our politicians are financed by the health insurance industry”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Yes, we fact check”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
“Donald Trump”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Donald Trump and his lies”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“They forget to reply to their constituents needs”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Republicans, especially Trump”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Extreme positioning to activate their base”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“Ultra conservative supreme court”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“environmental agenda”
What do you remember about the first time you voted?
“Politicians, on paper, are supposed to help people”
Why is voting important to you?
“People who will govern my life for the next 4 years”
Why is voting important to you?
“To get Joe out”
Why is voting important to you?
“Not putting ego to the side”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“I was bound and determined”
What do you remember about the first time you voted?
“it was a thrill”
What do you remember about the first time you voted?
“Donald Trump et al”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“politicians invested in turning back the times”
What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
“magic!”
What do you remember about the first time you voted?
“candidates who…represent the interests of all of us”
What does it mean to be a good citizen?
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.
