From its historical roots, the public sphere took the form of town hall meetings, conventions and tribal gatherings. These strategies required a more participatory approach on behalf of civil society. The ability to debate complex issues and influence policy was all done in person. Now, the public sphere has transformed to a more digital communication approach.
I think it is important for America to never lose the common touch. While I support the public sphere and its digital magnificence, I will remain committed to personal interaction when it comes to discussing important issues.
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, we should always remember what was accomplished without the convenience of technology. The MLK dedication this weekend reminded me that civil rights activists worked hard to use the power of the public sphere. They did not tweet about the March on Washington, nor did they post status updates about demonstrations. Yet, they were able to mobilize the masses for a clear objective and rely on the common touch to bring them the results desired.
Calvin, your point about the significance of the public sphere to the civil rights movement resonates with my understanding of the way in which institutions played a critical role in advancing the movement. As you know the ‘Black Church’ was an important arena where the leaders like King, Rep. John Lewis, and Julian Bond congregated to devise strategies for upcoming demonstrations. Moreover, the church was also a symbol of victory and defeat. For example, the bombing of a Birmingham church 1963 caused the death of four innocent girls yet, it galvanized more citizens to get involved in fighting for civil rights.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, the public sphere will continue to play an important role in changing laws and behaviors in the world. The public sphere allows citizens to actively participate in democracy by giving them a platform for articulating their opinions, sharing ideas, and stimulating change.
Calvin, you're absolutely right in that the public sphere has shifted from being a community gathering to an online platform. Blogs, comment sections, and facebook statuses have become the new platform for public discourse. As you mention, the civil rights movement used the power of the public sphere to create a change, without the use of the Internet. Yet take in consideration the Arab Spring. It was able to mobilize masses and create change in the same way through this new public sphere. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I think its interesting that the use of our public sphere has shifted as well. Take the comment sections on Youtube or even newspaper articles and blogs as an example.