My Daily Constitution was launched in 2002 as Linda Pollack's contribution to the exhibition Democracy When? Activist Strategizing in Los Angeles, curated by Tone Nielson at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions in Hollywood. Five thousand U.S. Constitutions, specially editioned for My Daily Constitution, were printed and displayed on a pedestal, free for the taking.
As the exhibition opening approached, reality sunk in and Pollack realized, "It's great to have all of these beautifully editioned Constitutions, but how can I invite people to not only TAKE a Constitution—but to engage with, and understand—the Constitution?" Thus, the beginnings of the Constitution Café, and Pollack's engagement with the facilitation of public life.
The first Constitution Cafés were held Sunday mornings during the months of April and May 2002 at Les Deux Cafés, a venue known more for its trend-setting than for its forums about constitutional democracy. But that is the project's strength—bringing unlikely allies together, in public-ness, to discuss our shared civic life. My Daily Constitution took hold, and continues as an occasional project to this day. Linda has partnered with grassroots communities and larger institutions to hold Constitution Cafés in all kinds of spaces, including bars, churches, restaurants, libraries, parks, and dance halls, and during the pandemic via Zoom.
As the exhibition opening approached, reality sunk in and Pollack realized, "It's great to have all of these beautifully editioned Constitutions, but how can I invite people to not only TAKE a Constitution—but to engage with, and understand—the Constitution?" Thus, the beginnings of the Constitution Café, and Pollack's engagement with the facilitation of public life.
The first Constitution Cafés were held Sunday mornings during the months of April and May 2002 at Les Deux Cafés, a venue known more for its trend-setting than for its forums about constitutional democracy. But that is the project's strength—bringing unlikely allies together, in public-ness, to discuss our shared civic life. My Daily Constitution took hold, and continues as an occasional project to this day. Linda has partnered with grassroots communities and larger institutions to hold Constitution Cafés in all kinds of spaces, including bars, churches, restaurants, libraries, parks, and dance halls, and during the pandemic via Zoom.