Mar Vista Community Forum

Civic Idealism : A New Movement for the New Millennium

by Ed Schwartz, Institute for the Study of Civic Values

One of the remarkable developments in the months following the tragic
events of September 11th, 2001 has been the rebirth of a kind of patriotism that we have not seen in the United States for a long, long time. Though prompted by an act of war, it has little to do with the "War on Terrorism" that we fight in its name.

This renewed patriotism resonates more with John F. Kennedy's call to,
"ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country." A young woman on a recent flight back from California is
seen wearing a "Love America--Volunteer" T-shirt--the kind of that
AmeriCorps might provide to its members. But she didn't get the T-shirt
from AmeriCorps. She had bought it herself.

This young woman and millions like her are civic idealists. They are
determined to help America achieve the highest ideals that we have set for ourselves since the nation's founding.

"Citizens by birth or choice of a common country," George Washington said, "that country has a right to concentrate your affections." And so many of us have responded.

As civic idealists, we seek to fulfill the civic values articulated in the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Whether our own private beliefs are shaped by religion or some other ethical tradition, it is these civic values that shape our expectations and goals for the country. "We the people," do, indeed, work together to "establish justice," "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," and "promote the general welfare" in order to create that "more perfect union" which our Constitution was drafted to preserve.

The work of civic idealists revolves around the neighborhoods and
communities where we live. We may 'think globally,' but we act locally--on our blocks and in our schools and through the institutions that affect our lives. We seek to build real communities among people who know each other, not just 'communities of interest' scattered all over the country.

Civic idealists believe in expanding economic opportunity for everyone-- fulfilling America's pledge to provide 'liberty and justice for all.' We insist not only that all Americans are able to meet their basic needs, but that every one of us is given a chance to make a real contribution to our communities and the country.

Finally, as civic idealists, we strive to make democracy work. We push for active citizen participation in the community. We demand government 'of, by, and for the people.' The organizations that we have built over the past 25 years--from block clubs to civic groups to community development corporations--are reshaping government and creating an entirely new dimension to the democratic process.

Civic idealism has not merely survived September 11th, 2001--it is
growing. We are putting the tragedy behind us and building a new future in its name.

Civic idealism is the first significant movement of the new Millennium.
Once again we, the people, are leading the way.

-end-

Ed Schwartz, Institute for the Study of Civic Values, 1218 Chestnut St., Rm. 702, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107 215-238-1434 edcivic@libertynet.org

ISCV web site: http://www.iscv.org
Also Check out "Neighborhoods Online" at http://www.neighborhoodsonline.net.


"Citizenship is the American ideal. There may be an army of actualities
opposed to that ideal, but there is no ideal opposed to that ideal."
--G.K. Chesterton