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The Spotlight: Groundwork: Democracy Close To Home

At a time of political gridlock and polarization at the national level, Groundwork explores the tone and flavor of democratic action in towns and cities, where one’s antagonist is not an opposing talking head or a politician from a state of a different “color,” but a neighbor.


This program originally aired on Saturday, September 22nd.

In this hour, hosted by NPR's Scott Simon, we'll listen in as people wrestle with issues alongside -- and in opposition to -- their neighbors. These stories include:

Energy: The people of Caroline, New York wrestle over the controversial gas drilling method known as fracking.

Civil Rights/Values: The debate over North Carolina’s Marriage Amendment in an African American church in Hickory, NC. This story expands upon a previous look we had during Weekend Edition in May entitled, 'Black Christians Struggle Over N.C. Gay Marriage Ban.'

Credit Melissa Beck
A resident of Chicago's 49th Ward

Immigration: In San Juan, Texas, the debate over how aggressively to police the border.

Citizen control of government spending: The “participatory budgeting” experiment in Chicago’s 49th Ward.

Young people and democracy: A look at how young people are engaging in politics and social action four years after the Obama Wave. Producer: Karen Michel in Los Angeles.

Environment: Fishermen in Kodiak, Alaska, their livelihoods threatened by ocean acidification, take steps to make their voices heard on carbon emissions.

Credit John Biewen
Fisherman Alexus Kwachka in Kodiak, Alaska

You can learn more about Groundwork at groundwrokproject.org

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