Hear ye … Hear ye …

250 years after our Forefathers convened to draft a constitution for our newly formed nation, local civic leaders gathered once again, not to establish a new order, but rather a call to order, with a public proclamation. One, based on the very tenets of our nation’s ideals – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – laws, embedded henceforth, to protect our civil rights for generations to come.

Why? Because it appears the nation is no longer united. Not since the Civil War has the country felt so divisive – not by town criers of yore, but the inflammatory rhetoric – spewed by today’s version of yellow journalism – shared by all manner of media, augmented by both sides of the political aisle, spread throughout small villages and major metropolises, compounded by mounting acts of violence.

But let’s not lose heart. Movement is underway to dust off our dignity and restore our national integrity.

Wise words, offering sage advice, will ring out once again, not across the land, but right here in Omaha, center stage, at the “Democracy Ain’t No Picnic – A Traditional Independence Day Celebration,” slated for July 12, 4 to 9 p.m., at the Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront, between Douglas and Farnam, from 13th to 8th streets.

Leading the charge, the Free Speech Society, event co-sponsor, as local leaders officially call for civility – as denizens gather together to celebrate our “Sweet Land of Liberty,” a famous lyric from the patriotic American hymn, “My Country Tis of Thee.”

“For nearly 10 years, Omaha’s Free Speech Society has hosted monthly meetings, featuring presentations and civil dialogues that focus on informed civic engagement. To date, the group has nearly 1,000 online members with a significant number attending the monthly meetings,” according to Dr. Rick Galusha, a political science professor at Bellevue University, who co-founded the society.

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Bring your picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs, but best leave your politics at the door. It’s definitely a celebration – not a rally cry, he implored.

A free, citywide, nonpartisan, variety show, the event will feature live music, communal square dancing, including a sing-a-long with Grammy Award winner, Dom Flemons, a Black string band folk singer (from the Carolina Chocolate Drops) known as “The American Songster” – whose repertoire spans nearly a century of American folklore, ballads and tunes – bluegrass violinist, Brian Farrow, noted teenage Gospel singer, Jayde Dorsey, and even a barber shop quartet.

The celebration will also feature various speakers, including former State Poet Matt Mason, Congressman Don Bacon, and a mix of youth and former mayors reading their joint proclamation, signed by all seven living mayors, noting the importance of shared values and the nation’s fragile democracy, as well as a nod to the nation’s 250th and Omaha’s 172nd birthdays, he said.

They also worked with former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (R) and Sen. Bob Kerrey (D), who issued “A Statement for America” that reflects their across-the-aisle, shared experiences in public office, the military and their roles as national leaders.

“It’s an inspiring reflection from two men, who have dedicated their lives to the ‘Good Life’ in our state and our country,” Galusha said.

The event, located at the $325-million, riverfront development – with state-of-the-art playground, performance pavilion, interactive water features, sculpture garden, dog park and more- will feature something for all ages and interests.

“While Bacon represents the center right, we are actively looking for a representative to balance Bacon’s presentation and attract younger people to the event. Omaha’s professional soccer team, Union Omaha, will also have players on site to attract tweeners and youth,” he said.

To ensure it’s palatable to all, the speakers are asked to avoid political personalities and specific policies.

“Instead, we want to focus on selling and raising up aspirational values, such as the importance of community, compromise, civic engagement, and other shared constructive values. Ultimately, we want to help attendees understand the importance of constructive engagement in this midterm, including volunteering on campaigns, voting, and understanding that character matters.”

Oh, and don’t forget your dancing shoes.

“It’s hard to be divided when you’re doin’ the dosey doe,” he jested.

So what was the impetus?

“Because things today are so politicized, we wanted an event that was specifically nonpartisan and welcoming. We wanted a unifying event that folks could enjoy without feeling political pressure, while demonstrating and sharing values such as community, civic engagement, democracy, and character,” he said.

“We believe most people want to come together, not labeled as liberals or conservatives but as neighbors, families, and friends. Ultimately, we want folks to understand how important they are, and if everything is stripped away, that their neighbors are pretty much like them. It ain’t complicated, but seems to get lost in the noise,” he added.

If anything, the event, per Galusha, seems to be a throwback to “gentler” times.

“American society has always included an expectation of reasonability. This event hopes to recapture an aspect of that by doing what we’ve always done – gather, eat, dance, laugh, and enjoy others’ company. We know that when people get together with those who are not like them, we learn to trust each other, and society works better. So make plans with friends to be there,” he urged.

“Among those I socialize with, many shared they felt helpless and that they wanted to do something positive – especially for future generations. We ended up looking to the past. Most of us remember a time when picnics were fun,” he explained.

“We just want to provide a setting and entertainment so folks can gather with their friends and family and be free of group expectations. For this event, everyone belongs – everyone is respected, dignified, and appreciated. Come for the fun – leave with an appreciation for community,” he reasoned.

And no hyperbole needed, since organizers have strived to bring the community some of the best of the best.

“The event begins with communal square dancing. We’ve hired one of the best callers in the Midwest, who is bringing his friends, who will instruct and lead the rest of us. It’s hard to be unhappy when you’re arm-in-arm doing the dosey-doe with someone you don’t know. We actually got the nerve to do this and ended up laughing and laughing. It was so much fun because nobody was ‘good,’ but just had a great time learning by doing,” he said.

In addition to Flemons, who works with the Smithsonian Institute to research and preserve American roots music, and Farrow, a world-class fiddler who grew up in Omaha, the event will feature the city’s very own singing sensation, Jayde Dorsey.

“The first time I heard Jayde sing, she was 12 years old and sounded like Aretha Franklin. As the former president of Homer’s (music store) and having hosted a roots music radio program for 35 years, I’ve heard and seen tens of thousands of singers and Jayde is very, very special,” said Galusha, who also founded the internationally acclaimed Pacific Street Blues & Americana show.

But they aren’t acting alone, knowing unity is strengthened by numbers.

“Omaha’s Free Speech Society is co-sponsoring the event with a number of private individuals who felt this event would be a healthy celebration of our nation’s and city’s birthdays,” Galusha said.

So no stump speeches, soapboxes or even snake oil on the premises.

“No one is selling or promoting anything. Just come out and ‘be.’ Be respectful but leave the burden of politics at home. Let down your guard and relax. Yes, there will be a couple of speakers, but they won’t tell you how to vote or who to support – that’s not our job. We asked them to inspire us, uplift us, and focus on the positive. We all want good news and a sense of hope and of being refreshed,” he said.

Once they plant the seeds of unity, the plan is to get each mayor – from John Ewing to Jean Stothert, Jim Suttle, Mike Fahey, Hal Daub, P.J. Morgan and Walt Calinger – to sign the proclamation and deed it to the Durham Western Heritage Museum for posterity.

“Interestingly enough, it will include the signatures of Omaha’s first African-American mayor and Omaha’s first woman mayor. It’s an historic document that, in years to come, will add dimension to our generation and those who led the city. Ideally, we hope future generations come to respect and cherish what these individuals have accomplished,” he noted.

Fueled by a desire to build community, the Free Speech Society has a number of other projects in the proverbial fire.

“Fundamentally, we know if you can get people to engage with those who don’t think or look like them, society is more trusting and works better. We are actively working with Film Streams on hosting films that focus on rights, including free speech.

“We are also developing ‘Dinner & Democracy’ with Flatwater Free Press (Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom) where people can gather to learn while engaging with others over a fine-dining experience. We have also been working with two groups on a year-long civics course that is taught by a number of notable citizens that most of us would know,” he said.

To be even more inclusive and attract new voices, the Free Speech Society is also trying to launch a new chapter, focused on younger Omahans and residents east of 72nd Street, he said.

In addition, a number of FSS members have discussed forming their own independent, nonpartisan grassroots “think tank,” comprised of retired people who have a lifetime of experience, wisdom and education to share.

“This think tank will focus on issues where approximately 70 percent or more voters agree on the desired outcome. As I understand it, they’ll frame the issue, outline its history, and create a resource where anyone, including office-seeking candidates, can get up to speed on an issue without the burden of partisan luggage that seems to thwart moving these issues forward. We know about wedge issues and, ideally, this effort will mitigate these impediments and improve people’s lives,” he said.

Which brings one to the fact that with so much misinformation clogging the “airwaves,” it’s often difficult to discern the truth.

“The Ad Fontes Group publishes an annual, interactive media bias chart, which identifies a media outlet’s political bias, as well as the outlet’s reliability or accuracy on their reporting,” suggests Galusha, to use as a guide.

“On the chart, there is a green outlined box at the top middle of the chart that identifies outlets that are relatively balanced and usually accurate. If people want the truth, anything outside of this box is probably not a good source,” he said.

Unfortunately, some factions thrive on the misinformation. Like one proven warring strategy – known as divide and conquer.

“What’s become evident is that there are those who have no interest in the truth, and knowingly share information they know is false, but which makes them feel better about the narrative they use to justify a position. Simply, they’re fully aware they are being intentionally deceitful. It is concerning, but has probably always existed,” he said.

However, choosing elected officials – with “the right stuff” – can help lead the nation to its greater good.

“A good leader listens, is reasonable, predominantly fair, committed to success, organized, and is emotionally consistent and predictable. They also have the ability to hold two or more conflicting ideas in their head at the same time, and are aware that, often, there is no easy answer, so arriving at ‘the truth’ includes a degree of relativism. Good leaders can make decisions, know when to cut the cord, understand they don’t have to like someone in order to treat them with respect, and are reflective on their own motivations. Being a good leader is difficult and rare,” he said, citing examples.

Taking a page from history, Plato, he added, argued to choose philosopher kings (or queens) as leaders – those who accept power reluctantly.

“We need leaders who choose country over party, including recognizing that individual rights hold sway over the wants of the majority. It’s easy to agree with those you like, but our Constitution really shines when we willingly use it to protect the rights of those we disagree with,” said Galusha.

Centuries ago, that was by design. America, the Forefathers had hoped, would be the land of opportunity – where virtually anything is possible.