A DIY Fourth of July
Make this Independence Day meaningful by connecting and reflecting with others.
This is a challenging moment for nearly everyone in our country. Recent Supreme Court decisions have made things in the US feel even more divided. So it’s no surprise, then, that Fourth of July brings up lots of conflicting feelings: determination and dedication, cynicism and frustration about our institutions, exhaustion and overwhelm — or everything all at once.
So, how do we navigate this Independence Day? Our advice: go deeper. Spend the holiday doing something meaningful and intentional that helps you make sense of this moment.
Introducing: Civic Saturday x Fourth of July
Are you looking to do things a little differently this Fourth of July? Us, too. That’s why we’ve put together a special Civic Saturday — a framework for gathering and reflection.
Civic Saturday gatherings provide poetry, music, discussion prompts, and fresh ideas to spark thoughtful conversation. (Yes, we know July 4th is not on a Saturday — but that’s ok, it can be used any day of the week!) What is Civic Saturday?
We’ve pre-recorded this Civic Saturday and put together a Gathering Guide to help you create a meaningful experience in your community. People in all corners of the country will be gathering with BBQs, block parties, and breakfast with their family. What will you create?
How to use this guide
Whether you have five minutes or an hour, there is something for everyone.
- First, think about how you’ll be spending your Independence Day and what you could incorporate.
- Then make a plan to watch the recorded Civic Saturday video in full, or just a few pieces.
- If you’re having a small family dinner, you could listen to the Civic Saturday recording while you eat (and have discussion over dessert!).
- Maybe you’re attending a BBQ and could bring the music and poetry to share.
- You might even listen to the readings of “civic scripture” (selections from Fredrick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony) with your colleagues and discuss at a staff meeting.
- Share out and connect with others across the nation who are doing the same. (Keep reading to learn how.)
Looking for some more guidance? Check out our full Gathering Guide that walks you through each step of the process.
Watch the self-guided video
The heart and soul of this activity is the video below: the Civic Saturday recording that provides substance and structure for your gathering.
Watch the full video below, or explore this YouTube playlist to find each segment as its own clip.
Ready to dive in?
Questions? You can reach out to Natalie Valentine at [email protected].
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