The Meaning of Public Life
Posted: 4:55PM October 11th, 2011 | Comments
The origin of the word public. Do you know it? Public is derived from the Latin word poplicus, meaning "pertaining to the people" but is also related to the Latin word pubes. Meaning "adult." The public life was originally understood as an arena for people who had moved beyond childhood into adulthood and were ready to take care of themselves and help take care of others. I learned this in Parker Palmer's new book, "Healing the Heart of Democracy," in fact I quote him directly above. It's a rich, thought-provoking read and I'm just touching on a piece of it, but our Eco Salon last night made me think again about his contemplation of public life in America. Every month we get anywhere from 25 - 40 people to show up for a few speakers and a conversation about an issue related to sustainability. It's an interesting way to think about it: that our Eco Salons are for adults who are ready to care of themselves and others. We aren't taught to think this way. As children, we're not taught to prioritize going to a public debate or public conversation to talk about cleaning the lakes or local transit. Not the way we're taught to do our homework and have a family dinner every night at 6:00. As a mother, I know I get rewarded for cooking supper for my children every night, but I feel guilty when I take an evening away from them to participate in our Eco Salon. Palmer comments on this decline of public life in America, in good company with many sociologists, and how we prize our private life above all else. I feel this pressure. But I would be remiss as a mother to not pay attention to the world we're creating. So I juggle taking my children to school and making our dinners so I can be a part of our collective public life. - Kristen
