George Floyd's murder sparked a movement, forcing this nation to acknowledge and confront systemic racism. But how much has changed in the year since Floyd was killed? Seattle Times Assistant Managing Editor Naomi Ishisaka tells host Joni Balter, "this is part of an arc of work that's been ongoing... and while momentum has slowed, progress has been…

After struggling through the pandemic, social unrest, and an ongoing homelessness crisis, what is the state of downtown Seattle? Bob Donegan, president of Ivar's restaurants tells host Joni Balter that 2020 was grim, but he's encouraged by the crowds returning to the city. The number of visitors to Pike Place Market is a good example. Donegan says,…

The President and Congressional Democrats are moving fast to work through a list of major projects demanded by the American public. Two U.S. House members from Washington state, helping to lead the way, speak to host Joni Balter about the challenges ahead. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Progressive Caucus, says "I just watched the American Resc…

A new president has established a different tone, but politics nationally remains as contentious as ever. Is the same true in this state? The leaders of Washington's two major political parties join host Joni Balter to discuss bridging the political divide. The conversation revealed there's still work to be done. "I think Republicans, at this point…

After losing both the White House and control of the U.S. Senate, even longtime Republicans are wondering, what's the future of the GOP? Lincoln Project Co-founder Rick Wilson and 2016 GOP nominee for Washington governor Bill Bryant share strong opinions with host Joni Balter on what they see on the road ahead. Wilson says the Republican party is a…

One day after Americans cast their ballots in record numbers, we are joined by a prominent Democrat and Republican who share their perspectives on our divided nation. Congressmember-elect Marilyn Strickland tells host Joni Balter, no matter who becomes president, we must find a way to come together to begin solving problems. She says she'll start b…

As Senate Republicans push to confirm President Trump's conservative Supreme Court nominee, how will that be received? Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik tells host Joni Balter politics should stay out of the process and we should avoid any temptation to load the court. He says, "...it is a bad idea, frankly, to tinker with the nine we have."…

Seattle Channel

As we celebrate this season of gratitude and forgiveness, Eric Liu adds three things to celebrate: our presence, our openness, and our heritage. Liu says presence matters because it's getting too easy to retreat into small circles of comfort. He says openness is to be celebrated because open and inclusive societies tend to outperform and outlast cl…

Eric Liu says we are all "gardeners" of our democracy and our community. He says we ought to pay more attention to our roots and root systems and know what it is we believe and why. Liu believes we are a mixed, intermingled group of gardeners tending a mixed, intermingled plot. He admits it's a complicated concoction, but if we tend it just right t…

Civic Seminarian Kristin Leong leads a special presentation of Civic Saturday, introducing guest speaker Aliyah Musaliar, a first-year student at the University of Washington. Musaliar reveals her turmoil as she wrestles with the only question people seem to be focused on: What are you going to be? And that leads to even greater anxiety for Musalia…

Eric Liu refers to America's favorite pastime, baseball, to help answer the question, what does it mean to be responsible? He says there are two ways to interpret this. First, what is it we should expect to be blamed for or held to account? Second, what ways are we living up to obligation or expectation? He says both are at play as our political cu…

Citizen University visits El Centro de la Raza for a special edition of Civic Saturday. As the country celebrates Black History Month, host Eric Liu cites the readings of abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglas to provide context to the term liberation. But Liu goes a step beyond, exploring the full arc that runs from slavery to liberation to …

Citizen University: Year in Review 2018 looks back at 'What is Civics?' We highlight the ways to practice civics in our community, as well as participating with your neighbors through Civic Saturdays.Seattle Channel

Citizen University presents a special edition of Civic Saturday from its home turf at Impact Hub Seattle. Host Eric Liu explores the topic of time and citizenship, focusing on three aspects of time that shape our civic lives: tempo, horizons, and patterns. Liu reminds us to move at our own tempos and to be intentional. But he admits that can be a c…

Host Eric Liu says "neighbor power" matters. Those who study relationships refer to it as "social cohesion." And according to a recent civic health report, Seattle ranks low on the national scale. Many Seattleites don't know their neighbors or share favors. Liu examines what it means to be a good neighbor and how fostering relationships at the neig…

Citizen University TV makes a stop at the Fremont Abbey for a special presentation of Civic Saturday. In his "civic sermon," Eric Liu reminds us, "It's a Free Country." But when he explores that notion it reveals much about who we are as a nation. As Alexis de Tocqueville noted in "Democracy in America," we are both "independent and weak." Liu adds…

How do you get city hall to listen to your concerns? As we continue this season's civics lesson, host Eric Liu explains how to get the attention of local powerbrokers and what to do once you have their ear. He highlights successful workers' rights campaigns and talks with Clara Cantor of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, a volunteer organization that…

Behind many important social and political movements are community organizers. Citizen University TV host Eric Liu examines an age-old tool of the art of civics with a look at how community organizing can upend the status quo and how simple acts can lead to powerful actions. He reviews the legacy of some well-known local leaders and looks at how pe…

Citizen University TV hits the road with a special presentation of Civic Saturday from the Northwest African American Museum. Host Eric Liu hits "rewind" with a fascinating journey back in time, decade by decade. Liu recounts pivotal moments in history when he had the foresight to warn people of what was to come. But his talk is more than a flashba…

Citizen rights are frequently top of mind, but host Eric Liu turns our attention to responsibilities. "Civic engagement isn't just voting or saying yes to jury duty. The new civic engagement is running for office," according to the founder of an online service that helps organize campaigns and manage political offices. We'll profile some local scho…

Citizen University TV hits the road with a special presentation of Civic Saturday, a series of community gatherings designed to instill a spirit of shared purpose - with liberty, equality and self-government at the heart. And when you add singing, poetry, readings and speeches, you get a lively and unique civic experience. Eric Liu explores the que…