Christina: Engaging Community and State Leaders, Florida

In early 2020 (just weeks before the pandemic), Smithsonian staff and their storytelling partners at the Peale, Baltimore, traveled to multiple states in the U.S. to ask residents of those states about voting experiences, the current state of American democracy, what issues brought them to the polls, how they made a difference in their communities, and what Americans' civic responsibilities were, among other complex questions.

Christina: When I think about the word civic responsibility, what comes to mind is John F. Kennedy quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. And so to me, the number one thing is voting when I hear this quote comes to mind and how it's our civic responsibility to voice our opinions, but also to participate in the political process because we can and because we are able to and given those freedoms and the right to voice our opinions.

(00:32) So if we're able to, we should because we are one of the nations that allows its citizens to participate and to have an active role in our government. And that's something that should never be taken lightly. It's instrumental. That's why we have freedom. That's why we have independence and things like that. And so on top of voting, we should also talk to our representatives.

(00:56) I mean, going out to rallies, going to, like we have in Haines City, we have a pig roast whenever there's an election. And all the candidates are there. And you go around and just talk to them, I mean, they're people. They're not on these high pedestals. They're human beings that you can talk to about what they believe. And that's the way to not only have an informed decision, but to make those connections.

(01:21) I mean, when you're in a Starbucks or you're walking around downtown Lakeland or Bartow, you'll run into your representatives because they're a part of your area and they matter. And so getting involved, talking to those people, meeting with them, calling them, I mean anything. If you believe in something, you can call your representative. You can email them. Do something to contribute your opinion, even beyond voting.

Asset ID: 2022.37.06.a-b
Themes: Civic Duty, Voting, Participation, Civic Responsibilities, Freedom, Independence, Activism, Community Engagement, House of Representatives, Teens
Date recorded: January 9, 2020
Length of recording: 0:01:50
Related traveling exhibition: Voices and Votes: Democracy in America
Sponsor or affiliated organization: Polk County History Center, Bartow, Florida, in conjunction with Florida Humanities
More information or related assets: https://polk-county.net/events/event-details/2020/10/23/history-center/new-smithsonian-institution-exhibit-opens-voices-votes-democracy-in-america.