Part One of a Two Part Documentary The Constitution begins with "We the People." The rest of the American story is, in many ways, the unfolding of who becomes "We." The Democracy of Public Space – Part One: Do We Mean It? traces the evolution of the National Mall from an unfinished vision into one of the world's great civic stages, culminating in Marian Anderson's historic 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial. This is the story of an unfinished vision, a civic stage, and the generations of people who continue the work of becoming "We." ----more---- Voices in the Episode Setha Low Professor Emerita of Environmental Psychology, Anthropology, Geography, and Women's Studies at the Graduate Center, City University of New York Setha Low is one of the world's leading scholars of public space. For more than four decades, her research has explored the relationship between people, place, culture, and democracy, examining how parks, plazas, streets, and other shared spaces shape civic life. Her work has helped redefine the way cities understand public space—not simply as physical infrastructure, but as a reflection of who belongs, who participates, and who feels welcome. Her books include On the Plaza, Spatializing Culture, and Why Public Space Matters. Judy Scott Feldman Founder and Chair, National Mall Coalition Judy Scott Feldman has spent more than two decades championing the National Mall as America's premier civic gathering place. As founder of the National Mall Coalition, she has worked to protect the Mall's historic legacy while advocating for its continued evolution as a place where future generations can gather, commemorate, celebrate, and participate in American democracy. Her work reminds us that preserving great public spaces isn't about freezing them in time—it's about ensuring they remain meaningful, accessible, and relevant for the publics still to come. Sheila Foster Professor of Climate, Columbia University Sheila Foster is a leading scholar of cities, democracy, and the urban commons. Her work explores how communities share responsibility for the public spaces, institutions, and resources that shape everyday life. Through her research on governance, equity, and collective stewardship, she challenges conventional ideas about who creates, cares for, and benefits from the places we share. Her work invites us to see democracy not simply as a system of government, but as a practice rooted in the stewardship of our common spaces. Cara Courage Author, Researcher, and Creative Placemaking Practitioner Dr. Cara Courage is an internationally recognized researcher, writer, and practitioner whose work explores the relationship between place, creativity, belonging, and civic life. Her research spans community engagement, cultural development, and trauma-informed placemaking, helping communities create places where people feel safe, connected, and empowered to participate. Cara previously joined The Sidewalk Ballet in Episode 18, where we explored the emerging field of trauma-informed placemaking and asked a simple question: What does a place feel like when your nervous system trusts it? In this documentary, her reflections on ancient Greece help frame the enduring relationship between public space and democracy. ----more---- Marian Anderson (1897-1993) Marian Anderson was one of the most celebrated contraltos of the twentieth century, renowned throughout the world for the depth, warmth, and expressive power of her voice. After being denied the opportunity to perform at Washington's Constitution Hall because of her race, Anderson accepted an invitation to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. Before an integrated public of 75,000 people—and millions more listening by radio—her performance became one of the defining moments of American civic history. More than a concert, it revealed the power of public space to expand the meaning of "We the People." Her voice continues to remind us that democracy is not only written in constitutions and laws, but also expressed in the places where people gather. ----more---- Continue the Conversation The National Mall & American Democracy The National Mall Coalition The Third Century Action Plan (National Mall Coalition) The National Mall - National Park Service L'Enfant Plan - National Park Service McMillan Plan - US Senate Marian Anderson PBS American Masters: Marian Anderson – The Whole World in Her Hands Marian Anderson Collection - Internet Archive Marian Anderson Easter Concert - US National Archives Explore More Episodes Episode 18 — Cara Courage: Trauma-Informed Placemaking Episode 12 — Evan Weissman: Warm Cookies of the Revolution Episode 5 — Jay Pitter: Black Public Joy Reading Why Public Space Matters - Setha Low On the Plaza - Setha Low Co-Cities - Sheila Foster Placemaking Handbook - Dr. Cara Courage
