“We cannot create justice without getting close to places where injustices prevail….We have to get proximate.” – Bryan Stevenson Esteemed innocence attorney and justice warrior,

The group of 2L and 3L students huddled around a long conference table, leaning in so as not to miss a word. These students are

Claudia Giunta St. Edward’s University Junior & Citizen Discourse Intern When I left for spring break this past March I was not aware it would

Jessica Lloyd Rogers participates in CD’s weekly Coffee, Compassion, and Conversation series. Building on last week’s discussion of our story of self, this week we

Dear Citizen Discourse,
The list of topics my family avoids talking about at the dinner table has grown so much that everything feels off limits. As a result, our conversations feel frivolous to me. We live in times when we should be discussing what’s happening in our country. Also, I want the kids at the table to be raised in a family that pays attention to the world around us. How can I help my family do better?

My family moved to the west Texas town of El Paso in 1985. As is a common American experience, I left for college and never

Way back, when I started a Citizen Discourse blog, I wanted to use my voice to elevate the stories of inspiring people using their powers

Every day, a 15- passenger van carried us into the dregs of single family suburbia.  Each of us were armed with two bottles of water,

#66daysofwritingmyway #Day1  This morning in yoga, the teacher greeted each person at the front desk wishing us happy Earth day.  A pleasant reminder to send

If you’ve read my posts in the past there’s a trend around my personal relationship with writing.  I love the idea but find it really

I’m just going to put this artfully worded post right here and let it speak for itself. Special thank you to Malaika B. for taking

Over the past year, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that I’ve been collecting caring high school teens from different parts of the country interested

This one goes out to all the dreamers at seaThis life is only what you want it to be. Dreamers, K.Flay Dear kid who cares,

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to the people who know me that I am fond of the old segment on NPR, This I believe.

“Ms. Gross.  This is the Pardon Office with the Department of Justice.  Please call me as soon as possible on a very urgent matter.” My

Ever since I was a kid, I paid close attention to my rabbi’s sermon at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Not to diminish their

The bench is gone. Yesterday I wrote about the bench on my corner. Situated in front of a vacant storefront. A resting place, a gathering

In one short week I hit the road for Colorado.  So much ahead of me.    It’s hard to think about what I’m leaving.  The friends

“Get close to the things that matter, get close to the places where there is inequality and suffering, get close to the spaces where people