Responsibilities of American Citizenship
NONVIOLENCE is an orphan among democratic ideas. It has nearly vanished from public discourse even though the most basic element of free government—the vote—has no other meaning. Every ballot is a piece of nonviolence, signifying hard-won consent to raise politics above firepower and bloody conquest.
Taylor Branch • At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68
On paper, these seem simple, but they require much more of us. For example, voting requires us to be informed on the issues facing our communities. The best way to get informed is to be engaged.
Introduction Essay: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship | Bill of Rights Institute
Good civic habits, also called virtues, facilitate this engagement, which is critical for maintaining a democracy. Civic virtues like integrity, responsibility, courage, and justice bind us together as citizens. They do so by supporting just civic action and promoting a common identity around living freely within our communities. Other virtues like... See more