democracy

How Poetry Marches Democracy Forward

Spoken Word Artists Discuss the Power of Language in a ‘Post-Truth’ Nation

The connection between poems and American politics runs deep. Presidents from John Quincy Adams to Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama are published poets. Poets help usher in new presidential eras at inaugural ceremonies and inspire (and participate in) on-the-ground activism. Poems, even, insofar as they trade in hope, uncertainty, and the art of persuasion, are like political campaigns.

But does our democracy need poets? This was the question guiding a Zócalo/Da Poetry Lounge spoken word performance and conversation last night at ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Beau Sia opened the …

by Talib Jabbar |

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Our Favorite Essays of 2022 | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Our Favorite Essays of 2022

From Behind Prison Walls to a Container Ship Out at Sea to the World’s Largest Refugee Camp, Zócalo’s Contributors Traversed the World to Report on the Human Condition

In 2022, Zócalo’s contributors reported from the front lines of a changing world, looking to foster conversation—and curiosity—about the way we live now.

While selecting just 10 essays from the scores …

In America, the Joe-mocracy Rules | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

In America, the Joe-mocracy Rules

A Republic? A Democracy? No, Our Country Is an Avuncular Autocracy Run by Old Guys Named Joe

by Joe Mathews |

Our aging republic is wasting away. Our democracy may be dying.

But the Joe-mocracy survives.

My fellow Americans, too many of you fail to understand the true nature of government in the …

| Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Public Access Democracy Director Leonora Camner

My Tattoo Is a Kleroterion

Leonora Camner is the director of Public Access Democracy and the executive director of Abundant Housing LA, and served on the Santa Monica Housing Commission from 2019 to 2022. Before …

| Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Weingart Foundation CEO Miguel Santana

I Was the Skunk at the Picnic

Miguel Santana was the city administrative officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he designed the city’s first comprehensive homeless strategy. Santana was appointed President & CEO of the …

| Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman

I Miss India’s Street Food

Nithya Raman is an urban planner and member of the Los Angeles City Council representing District 4. She has worked on homelessness for many years, co-founding the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless …


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