What Does America Want?
For the past century America has been brilliant at tackling big challenges both at home and abroad. Today we face two challenges like none before—a heating planet and a divided country. These challenges are intertwined. We must meet one if we hope to meet the other. “The America I Want Is…” program focuses on addressing America’s domestic differences, while directing attention to the environmental crisis. It’s a mission well within our grasp and in keeping with the spirit of our country.
“The America I want Is…” social media program is about individual expression, collective listening, and citizen participation. It’s a forum to reflect on what we want for our country.
Our Inspiration
Our inspiration is the native North American tradition of the Talking Circle. The tribe or band gathers to consider an important issue. A talking stick is passed from member to member. Only the person holding the stick may speak. Everyone else listens. There is no argument or crosstalk. The Talking Circle allows each tribal member to tap into the collective feelings and understanding of the whole group. “The America I Want Is…” program is respectfully borrowing this rich tradition to bring Americans together.
Indigenous Leaders Discuss Talking Circles
INTRODUCING
AMERICA'S FIRST
DIGITAL TALKING CIRCLE
America is a raucous, pluralistic country made up of people from all around our planet. Social media has allowed us to scale up the Talking Circle to include the country as a whole, providing every American the opportunity to hold the talking stick. Our program embraces the great diversity of points of view, of backgrounds, and of ways of being an American, which underpin this diverse and multifaceted nation.
AMERICA´S TALKING CIRCLE
See what thousands of Americans want for their country
State-by-State Circles
We are a country of neighborhoods, communities, and states. Our states
can be very different—almost like countries unto themselves. In our state-by-state circles,
we are asking leaders and thought influencers to tell us what they admire about
their states, what their states can contribute to America, and how America might
be better off it it were more like their states. We have chosen Vermont as our
model state. (Why)
Actions & Results
Our program’s centerpiece is America’s national Talking Circle, where we all get a chance to express what we want for our country. However, there are two additional elements to our program, which derive from the people's submissions — our digital interviews and live-streaming Talking Circles. These elements are fundamental to turning what Americans want into actions.
Empathize
As Americans we tend to live in
our separate worlds. In some
respects America doesn't know
America. Our America's Talking Circles will expose Americans to different ways of being an American. This experience will help Americans empathize with obstacles and challenges facing other Americans.
Instruct
“The America I Want Is…”program is a national experiment in civics for our schools, colleges, and the country as a whole. We will explore how to make America responsive to all Americans, and the common bonds that define us as a country.
Engage
Our program puts us in direct touch with our nation's leaders and thought influencers. We will take America's top concerns and discuss them in live-streaming sessions to determine how they might be put into action.
Archive
The America I Want submissions will be archived for current and future reference. It will be the basis for an ever-expanding resource library reflecting a pivotal moment in our history and accessible to everyone.
Interviews
We are taking the topics raised in the America´s Talking Circle and inviting leaders and experts to discuss them, drawing on their knowledge and experiences. Our objective is to explore and examine America's best ideas with a mind to implementing them.
Live-streaming
Circles
In this part of our program we come full circle. We will take America's topics and invite our leaders and experts to discuss them with the those who have submitted them.
