Replay: Jennifer Mercieca shares Five Things She's Learned about America – from 30 Years Studying Communication and Democracy
Check out the replay of the first five minutes of her recent 90-minute conversation with Resolute Square's Megan Matson.
“Our rights to a free press and to petition, assemble, and speak freely are each necessary for a properly functioning public sphere—and government. Of course, our public sphere has never functioned perfectly, but the kind of communication that currently dominates our public sphere is the opposite of democratic deliberation. In fact, it’s neither democratic nor deliberation—it’s using communication as a weapon.”
– Jennifer Mercieca
This election season, we're doing all we can to share the lessons and experiences of many of democracy's most impactful defenders. One important way we're doing so: Our new free class series, Five Things I've Learned about America, which focuses specifically the inspiring people and ideals that give life to our democracy. We’re pleased to share the full Replay of Jennifer Mercieca’s full session, Five Things I’ve Learned about America – from 30 Years Studying Communication and Democracy with you as part of this effort.
Jennifer is an award-winning Professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University. She writes about American political discourse, especially as it relates to democracy. Jennifer has published three books: Founding Fictions, The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency, and Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump.
In her recent 90-minute conversation with Resolute Square’s Megan Matson, Jennifer explores the increasing weaponization of communication and its threat to democracy, and offers solutions for strengthening democratic deliberation. She emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment rights and proposes ten actionable steps to rebuild democracy through persuasive communication rather than propaganda.
If you missed the class, we hope you’ll check out the Replay. This class is presented free, in partnership with Resolute Square, the pro-democracy media company that is taking the fight beyond the ballot box to where the autocrats are winning–the media landscape of America. And, if you’re not already, we hope you will subscribe for free to Resolute Square.
More about this new series: In the coming months, we’ll present a series of live, personal conversations with leading thinkers, organizers, and advocates for our democracy. These free sessions – each share the common title, Five Things I’ve Learned about America.
We’re also soliciting written pieces, short videos, and other bursts of ideas and inspiration from people whose ideas and experiences are equally inspiring and instructive. We’ll share these perspectives via our Substack newsletter twice a week through early November, with the aim of showcasing more voices and inspiring approaches for thinking about our current times.
Find our first session, Stuart Stevens’ Five Things I’ve Learned about America – and the Forces Driving Democracy to Autocracy, right here. Please also check out, Beto O’Rourke’s Five Things I’ve Learned about America – and Our Common Ground, right here. We invite you to view these conversations, offered free, in partnership with Resolute Square, and to join us for more free classes coming soon.
Thanks for being part of Five Things I’ve Learned on Substack. Visit myfivethings.com to view personal video invitations from more than 100 more writers, thinkers, and artists we admire – and to get special discounted pricing with our Five Things I’ve Learned Multi Pass.