LISTENING TO AMERICA
AS ONE WORLD
“The America I want Is…” program is about individual expression, collective listening and citizen involvement. It’s an idea as important now as at any time in our country’s history. We at Linley Foundation want to inspire and support a national conversation about our country - from our climate challenges to an America that lives up to its promise for all.
Our Goals
For over 70 years America has been brilliant at tackled great challenges both at home and abroad. Today America faces two challenges like none before—a heating planet and domestic divisions. These challenges are intertwined. We must meet one if we hope to meet the other. Yet our national crisis is impeding us from tackling our existential crisis. “The America I Want is…” focuses on our domestic divisions. It’s a challenge well within our grasp and ready-made for American leadership.
Our Inspiration
Our inspiration comes from the Native North American tradition of the Talking Circle - our continent’s original example of participatory governance. Members gather to consider a question. Only the person holding the stick may speak. There is no argument or crosstalk — just listening. It is a way for each tribal member to understand what others are thinking and feeling. It is listening with the heart. We will respectfully bring this rich tradition to the country as a whole.
First Nations' Leaders DiscussTalking Circles and The Indigenous Worldview
INTRODUCING
AMERICA'S
DIGITAL CIRCLE
America is a very large tribe. To include everybody, we have digitized the Talking Circle. We can now invite all Americans to hold the talking stick. And the rest of us will listen. We want to know what you want for America. It is an opportunity to embrace the great diversity of points of view, of backgrounds, and ways of being an American. It’s how we’re going to get to know each other.
THE PEOPLE'S CIRCLE
LEADERS & THOUGHT INFLUENCERS
We are starting with our states.
We are a country of families, neighborhoods, communities, and states. They are the essence of America. To most of us, what happens in our capital often seems far removed from our lives in the communities in which we live and work.
We began by reaching out to Americans where they live. We discovered that most of us love our states. We're proud of them. They are how we experience America. So we started with our states, asking leaders and influencers to tell us what they admire about their states, what their states can contribute to America, and how America might be better off if it were more like their states.
IN - PERSON CIRCLES
WE ALSO WANT TO GET TOGETHER TO LISTEN
While most of our Circles are conducted digitally, we are also organizing in-person Circles in each state to reach the broadest cross-section of the American public. These in-person Circles will be professionally moderated, filmed and edited. You will be able to see the results on this site and on our social media platforms.
SO NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.
JOIN OUR GREAT AMERICAN CIRCLE
What is the America you want?
YES,
I WANT TO PARTICIPATE
WITH MY VIDEO
OR
CONTACT ONE OF OUR FACILITATORS TO BE PART OF A CIRCLE. CLICK HERE
We're waiting to hear from you!
