Civil Discourse

Making a start — June 7, 2022

How do we deal with all of the issues that are competing for our attention?

Do we  stay focused on the threat to democracy posed by the rise of populist, often white supremacist movements that have taken hold of much of our country? Do we try to keep up with the January 6 Committee hearings that begin Thursday evening? Throw our efforts into work to protect the vote? Pandemic preparedness? Gun violence? Climate change? Or do we focus on civil rights, hate crimes and police reform?

Where do you fit in?

What do you need to know? What should you be doing? What can you do?

These are the existential questions that all of us who love democracy are trying to answer for ourselves. They feel especially urgent in this moment. That’s why I started this substack, Civil Discourse, as we head into the January 6 Committee hearings.

Despite the serious concerns we face, there is reason for optimism. Civic education pays dividends. I learned that, as I shared my experiences during twenty-five years at the Justice Department with people who want to be a part of fixing the festering sickness that tears at the heart of our country.

Early in the Trump administration I was asked to go on TV to help explain the deviations we were seeing from democratic norms. As things progressed and I spent more and more time trying to help people understand how deeply troubling the Trump administration was, I learned that many of you cared about justice and the rule of law and were passionate about protecting our democracy.

That’s what’s kept me going. I’ve had the good fortune to come to know many of you through our interactions, in person and online. You’re strong and compassionate. Whether you live in a red state like me or in a more liberal part of the country, you know we have work to do. In the words of Ben Franklin, a republic if you can keep it. There is a role for each of us, as we head into the midterm elections and beyond. 

If you'd like to join me in this work, you can subscribe to my new newsletter. I’ll help you stay up to date on important developments and what they mean. We’ll track down the facts and make sure we understand more than just the headlines. And I’ll link you to primary sources so you can access information and develop your own analysis on the issues that matter the most to you. We’ll have a community forum where we'll be able to privately discuss our questions and work through some of the complicated issues. We can use what we learn to help combat disinformation.

This newsletter happens on a platform called Substack, which is the best and easiest way  for me to write directly to you. You'll continue to see me on NBC and MSNBC, be able to read my columns, and listen to my podcasts, but this is a more direct, immediate, and perhaps less polished and more heartfelt opportunity for us to come together. (Who doesn’t love a good hot take?) Once  you sign up, you'll get newsletters from me, straight into your email inbox.

You can sign up for an unpaid subscription to check things out and see if this is right for you, or jump right in as a paid member with access to our discussion forums, zoom hours and other special features! There will also be a tier of founding members.

I left the private practice of law in 1991 to join the U.S. Attorney's office in the Northern District of Alabama thinking it would just be a short career detour. But I learned that there was no higher honor than serving the people of the United States and nothing that I wanted to do more. Even after leaving the Justice Department -- I resigned the night before Trump's inauguration -- I felt, and continue to feel, an ongoing obligation to share what I had the privilege to learn about our justice system and our democratic institutions. Ultimately, it's an educated public capable of informed civil discourse that sustains effective, fair government. Accountability happens when citizens demand it. Sometimes, they need to do it loudly and persistently.

That's where we are today, or at least where I am. Because we live in serious times and I’m a big believer in taking care of yourself, we’ll deviate for the occasional chicken video or other bits of frivolity. I hope you’ll join me. Please sign up to receive the newsletter.

We’re in this together,

Joyce