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The United States is a representative democracy, meaning that government officials are elected by citizens. These officials then are to represent the ideas and concerns of the citizens. To work well, though, our democracy requires not just the work of government officials but also active citizens.

Citizens can participate in their democracy in a number of ways. First, one can stay informed. This involves things like reading or listening to a variety of news sources, researching the views and positions of political candidates and officials, and participating in public discussions and town halls. Citizens can also participate in the process. One can communicate with elected officials, advocate for policies and laws, and even run for office. Finally, the active citizen votes.

Voting is both an important right and responsibility of US citizens. At the founding of the nation, only white, male citizens over the age of 21 were eligible to vote. Later, the Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870 after the Civil War, declared that the right to vote could not be denied on account of race, thus giving African American men the right to vote. This was not the end of the voting rights struggle for African Americans, however. Because of widespread discrimination in many states, including the use of poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, and other more violent means, African Americans were not assured basic voting rights until President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Likewise, women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Today, citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation.

While local elections may take place more often, federal elections occur every two years. These elections are overseen by state and local governments and so the specifics on how elections are conducted differ from state to state. The next election takes place on November 8. For information on how elections occur in your home, you can go to the website of your state’s secretary of state. There are also resources such as Rock the Vote or Vote411 to guide you to the appropriate information. Ballotpedia can help you find a sample ballot so you can do your research before you vote. Likewise, Vote Smart is a website that seeks “to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to all Americans.”

For more information on democracy and citizenship please visit our book display on the main floor of the library.

Recent Posts

National Aviation Month 2024

National Aviation Month is a time to celebrate pioneers who helped shape this field. Among these is Amelia Earhart, a trailblazing pilot, whose adventurous spirit and numerous achievements continue to inspire people around the world. Earhart not only set numerous flying records but also paved the way for women in a male-dominated field. Her legacy remains one of courage, determination, and advocacy for equality.Earhart’s interest in flying began in 1920, at the age of 23, when she had her first airplane ride while living in California. This inspired her to take flying lessons and within two years she had her pilot’s license and owned her own small plane. She then moved to Massachusetts where she worked as a social worker with immigrants in Boston while continuing to pursue her flying career. Earhart gained notoriety in when she was chosen to be a passenger on a transatlantic flight piloted by Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon, making her the first woman to cross the Atlantic in a plane. This was just the beginning of her aviation achievements. In 1931 she flew to the record-setting altitude of 18,415 feet. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. For this feat she was awarded, among other honors, the Army Air Corps Distinguished Flying Cross and an Honorary Membership in the British Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. Later in 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the United States. In 1935 she became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific and thus also the first person to fly over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Earhart spoke extensively about her flying adventures and also wrote several books. Beyond her flying achievements, Earhart was an advocate for women’s equality. Recognizing the lack of support and resources for women pilots, she co-founded the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to promoting women in aviation; she served as its first president. Additionally, as a visiting professor at Purdue University, she encouraged women to pursue careers in engineering and science, empowering them to envision new opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields. By 1936, the one aviation achievement she had not yet achieved was flying around the world, so she began to make plans to do so. She stated, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system, and I hope this trip is it. Anyway, when I have finished this job, I mean to give up long-distance ‘stunt’ flying.” Earhart began the 29,000-mile journey in 1937 with her navigator, Fred Noonan. They had covered nearly 22,000 miles when they reached New Guinea. Their next stop was Howland Island, but on the way she and Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. The Itasca, a US Coast Guard cutter near Howland Island, received a radio transmission on July 2, “KHAQQ calling Itasca. We must be on you but cannot see you... gas is running low...” The Itasca eventually lost contact and began search operations. Despite an extensive search, the plane was never found. It is generally presumed they ran out of fuel, crashed into the ocean, and died near Howland Island. The mystery of Earhart’s disappearance continues to capture the imagination of explorers. In January, Deep Sea Vision, a South Carolina-based team, said it had captured a sonar image in the Pacific Ocean that “appears to be Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra” aircraft. However, earlier this month the team was able to do more extensive scans and discovered what they found was a rock formation. So while the mystery of her death remains, the more important story is not how she died, but how she lived.To learn more about Amelia Earhart and aviation history, please check out these books and visit the books display on the fourth floor. ...

Native American Heritage Month 2024

November is National Native American Heritage Month. For this week’s blog we welcome guest writer, Dr. Susan Stone, Professor of English. Indigenous people have lived in what we now call North America for over 20,000 years. Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribes, each with their own unique language and customs, and Native Americans made up 3% of the US population in the 2022 census. Although this number is significant, it could have been much larger if Europeans hadn’t arrived in the 15th century. It is estimated that almost 95% of the millions of Indigenous people living in North America perished from diseases like smallpox and the measles as well as forced displacement and warfare, within the first few decades of contact. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Indigenous people preserved their histories and cultures through storytelling, passing down their heritage for generations. This was complicated, however, by the lack of written indigenous languages, which made recording history and sharing stories among tribes and with colonists difficult. Still in 1809, a Cherokee man named Sequoyah (George Guess) became the first Native American to begin working on a writing system for his nation’s language. He called this project the “Talking Leaves.” A monumental undertaking, especially considering that he couldn’t read or write, it took Sequoyah and his daughter Ayoka over a decade to complete the Cherokee Syllabary, an innovative syllable-based writing system still used today. Today, Cherokee and Navajo, which was used by the Code Talkers in WWII to help win the war, are the two most popular spoken and written native languages. With written languages, the legacy of indigenous storytelling has taken on new dimensions.Over the last two centuries, hundreds of Native American authors have shared stories orally and written prolifically and provocatively in English and in multiple classical genres—poetry, short fiction, novels, drama, etc. In the last 50 years or so as part of the Native American Renaissance first and second waves, they have woven decidedly Indigenous and tribal topics, themes, and forms into their story telling, creating hybrid works like Cherokee/Kiowa Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momaday’s multi-voiced (tribal, academic, personal, and mythical) and hand-illustrated The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) and Chippewa writer Louise Erdrich’s critically acclaimed, multigenerational Love Medicine (1984), a text that can be read either as a whole novel or a collection of, stand-alone short stories. Ceremony (1977), by Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), places the oral traditions and ceremonial practices of the Navajo and Pueblo people at the center of her story, and Tommy Orange’s Pulitzer-nominated debut novel There There (2018) is a polyphonic, puzzle-like text that focuses on the lives of a dozen people—some Indigenous, some not—who are brought together at an urban pow-wow in Oakland, California. In this extremely popular work, Orange blends elements of his Cheyenne and Arapaho heritage with social, historical, and cultural issues that confront both urban Natives and those living on reservations. In addition to the above texts, there is a wonderful emergence of creative Native American authored and illustrated texts for children and young adults. Since 2006 the biennial American Indian Youth Literature Award celebrates the best in children's and young adult literature by and about Native Americans, showcasing authentic and engaging stories that reflect Indigenous experiences. Many of these award winners and honors can currently be found as part of the book display on the first floor of the Library including: Berry Song, written and Illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation); We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell (Cherokee); Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians); and Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee). Native American Heritage Month was created not only to commemorate a rich, multitribal ancestry and heritage but also to recognize the current achievements and goals of modern tribes and their diverse stories, traditions, identities, governments, and lives on and off reservations. Native Americans are a present tense, forward-looking people. Native American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the resilience, creativity, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities, whose voices continue to enrich and deepen our collective understanding. This November, let us celebrate by engaging with these stories that bridge past, present, and future....

Democracy 2024

American democracy is rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. Election Day is a cornerstone of this democracy, a day when citizens across the country exercise their right to vote and help shape the future of the nation. This day captures one of the most important principles of democracy – the belief that government should be responsive to the will of its people. Despite its foundational principles, they have not always been the reality for all Americans. Many groups have been excluded from the democratic process and denied the right to vote. It has taken decades for our democracy to expand, extending voting rights to people of color, women, and younger citizens. The ability of the nation to adapt, address inequalities, and include more voices speaks to the enduring strength of this democracy.Voting is only one part of the democratic process, however. Civic engagement also includes engaging in activities that hold elected officials accountable and push for change on issues that matter to communities. This can mean attending public meetings, joining protests to advocate for justice or policy reform, and writing to elected representatives. Citizens can engage as well by organizing grassroots campaigns, raising awareness on social media, or volunteering for causes important to them. Running for office – whether local, state, or national – is another option for those who want to take on a more direct role.A healthy democracy also requires informed and active citizens. Check out our Elections & Voting guide for links to numerous resources to help you stay informed. Take advantage of our databases like US Newsstream and the New York Times Digital Edition for access to news. Finally, check out our Democracy book display on the main floor of the Library. ...

Raptor Awareness Month 2024

October, Raptor Awareness Month, is a time to celebrate, learn about, and promote the protection of birds of prey. Raptors—such as hawks, eagles, falcons, owls, and vultures—are known for their keen eyesight, sharp talons, powerful beaks, and soaring flight. Raptors are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. As birds of prey they help with controlling populations of smaller animals like rodents, birds, and even insects, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion. They also can serve as indicators of ecosystem health, with declines in their numbers signaling environmental issues like pollution or habitat loss. Scavenging raptors, such as vultures, help clean up the environment by feeding on carrion, preventing the spread of disease and promoting faster decomposition. Other raptors can help farmers by naturally controlling rodent pest populations, reducing the need for harmful pesticides. Additionally, they hold cultural and spiritual significance for many.Despite their importance, many raptor species are in danger due to various human-induced threats. Habitat loss from deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion reduces their hunting and nesting areas. Pesticides, particularly those that accumulate in the food chain, can poison raptors, leading to health and reproductive issues and even death. Collisions with human-made structures like power lines, wind turbines, and vehicles also pose risks. Illegal hunting and the capture of raptors for the pet trade further endanger these birds. Climate change is another growing threat, altering habitats and affecting prey availability.Raptor Awareness Month is an opportunity to take action and protect these vital birds. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, banning harmful pesticides, and supporting raptor rehabilitation centers, are essential to their survival. Educating the public about raptors’ ecological importance can foster greater appreciation and encourage responsible actions to safeguard their future. For more information on raptors, please visit the book display on the fourth floor of the Library. ...

Democracy in Action

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