Our Towns Flyer | September has Brought Wins and One Loss
September has been bittersweet for us at Our Towns. The good news is that we partnered with the Jefferson Educational Society in Erie, PA to launch our first virtual event, “Renewal at All Levels” with Jim in conversation with Anne-Marie Slaughter, the CEO of New America, and Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Office and the director of California Volunteers.
The sad news is that we lost one of our extraordinary local heroes, Charly Jupiter Hamilton, of Charleston, WV. Charly was a renowned artist and deeply-admired human being, whose mural was front and center capturing the spirit and personalities of Charleston’s newly-reviving West Side. We were so fortunate that Charly closed out Our Towns, the HBO documentary, with a final scene reading a speech by Brutus from Julius Caesar. We lost Charly to cancer, caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. You can read more about him here and here and here.
We’ve been hearing and reading about how the pandemic has spurred migration within the U.S. Here is a story about the Fields family, who moved from the Baltimore suburbs to rural De Smet, SD. If you have a story of migration, either your own or from someone you know, we would love to hear about it. Please write us here.
Thanks.
Deb & Jim Fallows
Reports
COVID Pioneer Families
How has the pandemic motivated people to reconsider where they live, and why? Here is a story from South Dakota about how families are changing — and towns as well.
Bring in the Refugees
What might a closer look at the historical trends and realities of the refugee-resettlement process tell us about how the latest phase is going? James Fallows draws on his 40 years of reporting on this topic to give benchmarks that might help answer that question.
Voices from America
Read Part IV of a multi-part essay series from Our Towns contributing authors on what recommendations can come from a closer study of leadership and power that might lead to changes at the community level.
The Justice Paradox in America
Developing a common definition of justice could go a long way towards healing our national rifts. But how do we arrive at a shared definition?
Transforming Industrial Heartland Communities
Today, there is a Tale of Two Midwests. Some communities have made the transition to a new, thriving economy in a changing world. Others are still struggling.
Our Towns Live!
Bring Our Towns to Your Town!
Through a special arrangement with HBO, you can bring a screening of Our Towns to your civic organization, church, school, or any group interested in inspiring citizens to revive their community. There is no charge to access the film, however no admission can be charged to attendees.
For more information, email Our Towns Civic Foundation Director of Operations Shelli Stockton at shelli.stockton@gmail.com
Our Towns in the Media
In July, Jim and Deb spoke with the Bush Center as part of the "Democracy Talks" (you can read their interview here). In September, "Democracy Talks" moderators Lindsay Lloyd, Christopher Walsh, and William McKenzie reviewed the strategies presented during their conversation with Deb and Jim and other for overcoming obstacles in civic engagement. You can read their piece, "Civil Dialogue, Engagement can Renew Democracy" in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.
Earlier in August, Williams College hosted a Humanities Academic Boot Camp where veterans who were entering their first academic year could receive support for the transition into higher education. As guest speakers at the Boot Camp, Deb and Jim spoke about how veterans will play a crucial role at this pivotal moment in American history. Read Stephen Dravis's full report on Williams College's Warrior School Project, including the Boot Camp, here.
What We're Reading
For your weekly dose of good news, look no further than the Progress Network. Their newsletter, "What Could Go Right?" highlights hopeful, national and international news stories. Most recently they have featured topics like how close we are to a malaria-free world and how Portugal and Malaysia became vaccination leaders. To subscribe to their newsletter, click here.