Anxieties of Citizenship in Talking to Strangers

The advice "Don't talk to strangers" has been given to children by parents of all classes and races for a long time. Today, it has become a fundamental principle of civic education, reflecting interracial distrust, personal and political alienation, and a deep suspicion of others. In her powerful and eloquent essay, Danielle Allen, a 2002 MacArthur Fellow, revisits this maxim in Little Rock, aiming to uproot the seeds of distrust and cultivate "a citizenship of political friendship."

Allen delves into the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 and the iconic photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, being harassed by her fellow "citizen" Hazel Bryan. She argues that the transition to political friendship that this moment offered is still incomplete. By blending concise analyses of philosophers and political theorists with personal reflections on race politics in Chicago, Allen presents practical techniques of citizenship. She believes that these tools of political friendship can help us become more reliable to others and overcome the deeply ingrained distrust among us.

According to Allen, sacrifice is the crucial concept that links citizenship and trust. She uncovers the everyday sacrifices that citizens make to uphold democracy and offers ways to recognize and reciprocate these sacrifices. Sharp, insightful, and ultimately optimistic, "Talking to Strangers" is more than just a manifesto for a revitalized democratic citizenry. It offers strikingly practical methods for cultivating political friendship and rebuilding trust within our communities.

product information: