Citizen University TV

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 freedom. He reminds us that liberation is not freedom. Liberation is only the removal of oppression. Freedom, on the other hand, is much more than the removal of restraints. With freedom comes great responsibility. Liu provides a vivid example, sharing a personal story from his childhood in upstate New York. Civic Saturday is the civic analogue to a faith gathering. It celebrates the American civic tradition with a "Beyond Liberation" address by Liu, special readings, small-group discussions and reflection.

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.

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 challenge. Take Seattle, for example, he says the city is moving both too quickly and too slowly to deal with growth and that's led to turbulence in local politics. And what can baseball, Winston Churchill and Star Trek teach us about the patterns of time? Civic Saturday is a civic analogue to a faith gathering that celebrates the American civic tradition with an address by Liu, readings, song and reflection.

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 neighborhood level helps the broader community. And hear from local residents who are part of the team cleaning and restoring the Duwamish River. Plus, Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods shares innovative ways to build neighbor power.

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 context to that belief by discussing three themes that are deeply connected: freedom, loneliness and help. His thoughts are both eye-opening and uplifting. Civic Saturday is a civic analogue to a faith gathering that celebrates the American civic tradition with an address by Liu, readings, song and reflection. The unique civic experience aims to instill a spirit of shared purpose - with liberty, equality and self-government at the heart.