Events

In the last decade, Americans have increasingly expressed a sense of dismay at the erosion of democracy. We fight our disillusionment by holding vigils, declaring our positions on social media, or announcing our allegiances in yard signs; but we also feel like these are ineffective and joyless. What if the way to restore our faith in democratic life was more joyful, more social, and far more fun? A century ago, the philosopher John Dewey theorized that democracy can never characterize our institutions if it is not realized and enjoyed as a way of life. Bethany Henning considers the possibilities of celebration as an effective (and increasingly rare!) mode of political action.