Talking to strangers

Talking to strangers

by Danielle S. Allen

2004
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"Returning to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 and to the famous photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, being cursed by fellow "citizen" Hazel Bryan, Allen argues that we have yet to complete the transition to political friendship that this moment offered. By combining brief readings of philosophers and political theorists with personal reflections on race politics in Chicago, Allen proposes strikingly practical techniques of citizenship. These tools of political friendship, Allen contends, can help us become more trustworthy to others and overcome the fossilized distrust among us." "Sacrifice is the key concept that bridges citizenship and trust, according to Allen. She uncovers the ordinary, daily sacrifices citizens make to keep democracy working - and offers methods for recognizing and reciprocating those sacrifices."--BOOK JACKET.

Discussion questions for Talking to strangers

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  1. 1

    How does Danielle Allen’s framing of the famous photograph of Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan reshape your understanding of the civil rights movement and the concept of "political friendship"?

  2. 2

    Allen argues that democracy requires everyday acts of sacrifice; what are some examples of small, unnoticed sacrifices you make or witness in your own community to keep civic life functioning?

  3. 3

    In what ways does Allen’s personal reflection on race politics in Chicago challenge or complement your own observations about how different communities interact today?

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