Brendan Stern

In this day and age of polarization, gridlock, and bigotry, we can, nonetheless, revitalize our democracy with the most simple choices.

Preserving our country from boorish and malevolent forces might feel like a Herculean task requiring enormous effort and massive cooperation. 

But our small choices matter and could make the difference between an authoritarian state and a robust democracy.

After all, we move mountains by starting with a pebble. Reformed alcoholics swear by the mantra of taking it a day at a time. Marathoners cross the finish line not by counting down 26.2 miles but by putting their left foot in front of their right.

Some of the most significant democratic changes in recent memory originated with simple choices. The sit-ins of the early 1960s that were a vital part of the civil rights movement, for instance, were initiated by four first-year college students at North Carolina A & T who connected with each other courtesy of conversation over smuggled beer in the dorm. The rest was history when one asked his fellow bootleggers deep into the night whether they were “chicken or not?”

Progress in the United States is similar to tapas. It is a micro dish centered around personal connection and reciprocity.

If we think of our democracy as “of the people, by the people, for the people,” then to neglect colleagues, neighbors, and strangers is to miss the forest for the trees. As in marriage, mutual responsibility, moderation, and trust are central to a healthy democracy. The absence renders it unlikely. People divorced from community and commitment are the most likely to commit violence and practice fanaticism.

It was a privilege to be interviewed by a brilliant young filmmaker, Dexter Mueller, for his short documentary for a C-SPAN competition. As you can see, he makes this fundamental point about the essence of civic duty – our responsibilities as a democratic citizen – and what it could entail today.

I hope you enjoy this documentary and think about changing the world by, perhaps, inviting a new classmate to a house party, joining an organization, or having coffee with somebody you don’t know quite well.

Or, yes, even washing the dishes tonight.