Imagining Real Democracy Discussion Series
2021 Schedule (Jan - Jun)
→ Printable version of schedule found HERE
DATES: Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22, Apr 26, May 24, Jun 28 (fourth Monday)
TIME: 6:45 pm social gathering; 7-8:30 pm discussion
PLACE: from your home using Google Meet
RSVP: PRE-REGISTRATION is required. Email [email protected] to receive an invitation to the online meeting connection, any schedule changes, and the readings in advance of the discussions. Type “Imagining Democracy” in the subject line and please leave your name, phone number and email address.
PREPARATION: For each session there are pre-session readings or videos. Though these materials are very helpful they are not essential for participation.
Sessions 1 and 2: Rights and Privileges Timelines. Three timelines make the connection between personhood, law, rights and privileges. Note to Educators: These sessions will fulfill Constitution Day instruction for students in high school and college.
- In the first timeline we are introduced to legal decisions that gave corporations US Constitutional rights and privileges. Next we look at legal cases and legislation that included more people in “We the People” of the US Constitution. (January 25)
- In the final timeline we present legal actions in which rights have been taken away due to race. Learn how corporate rule benefits from oppression, how oppression damages democracy, and why we need to understand different people’s experiences to create a broad movement. (February 22)
Session 3: Democracy: What is It? Can We Have it? (March 22) Define democracy, political democracy, economic democracy, and participatory democracy. Learn how these distinctions are relevant to our fight against corporate rule. Explore how a democracy movement can incorporate these toward our strategies in order to win.
Session 4: Abolitionist, Women’s Suffrage, Direct Election of Senators (April 26) Learn from effective past movements and explore how a democracy movement can incorporate past strategies to win our current fight against corporate rule.
Session 5: Labor and Democracy (May 24) Learn from an effective past social movement, the Labor Movement, and explore how a democracy movement can incorporate this toward our strategies to win the current fight against corporate rule.
Session 6: Division and Co-option (June 28) Explore the ways that social justice movements can be co-opted, and learn how a democracy movement can avoid repeating those mistakes.
Study sessions developed by Move to Amend & sponsored & facilitated by MN Move to Amend State Network. Content and Order are subject to change.
