Deval Patrick: Why This Democracy?

Deval Patrick, the former Governor of Massachusetts, presents a compelling case for both his optimism about his fellow Americans and his concern about our democracy. The talk expands upon his statement that, “The Founders designed us to be a nation of values, a country with a conscience and we’ve struggled with and against that conscience from the start. True patriots understand that, given that context, we cannot be great without being good.” In this inspiring talk, Governor Patrick touches on important topics of today including civic ideals, race, values, inequality, voting, and patriotism. Deval Patrick is the former Governor of Massachusetts, a civil rights lawyer and advocate, and a business executive and entrepreneur In 2006, Deval Patrick became Massachusetts’ first African-American governor. During his eight-year tenure, Patrick helped revive a battered economy through the expansion of affordable health care, unprecedented investments in Massachusetts public schools and public infrastructure, and initiatives stimulating clean energy and biotechnology. He is the Founder & Chairman of TogetherFUND, a political action committee to support progressive politics and grassroots groups working to drive turnout and engagement among disenfranchised and marginalized voters. Patrick is the author of two books, A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life and Faith in the Dream: A Call to the Nation to Reclaim American Values. He lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife Diane, his dogs and his bees. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.