The Know Something Project: Mission Statement
January 20, 2009
WELCOME to the Know Something Project: Literature and Law, Poetry and Politics. Designed to approach these areas and more via a humanistic approach, the Know Something Project is an umbrella site that ultimately will be linked to a varied collection of original resources.
The Know Something Project name is a play on the name of a short-lived but active nativist/anti-immigration political party from the 1850s known formally as the American party. Due to the secretive nature of the groups from which the American party emerged and the semi-secret nature of the party itself, the organization was given the nickname The Know Nothing party. When members of the party were asked by an outsider for details regarding group activities, they were supposed to say simply “I know nothing.”
In stark contrast to the prejudiced and secretive Know Nothing Party, the Know Something Project is dedicated to the dissemination of details and information to which all citizens of the United States deserve access. The humanistic approach of the Know Something Project centers on the discussion of civil liberties. It also stems from the belief it is time for Americans to set aside divisive party lines and other often harmful distinctions in order to embark on a new, unified effort for the sake of all our citizens.
It’s time for Americans to stop wishing they could impact how their government operates and instead do something armed with the knowledge they need to fully understand what’s going on…and what must be changed. It’s also time for Americans to use the speed and efficiency of the Internet to quickly assess current developments in their communities, cities, states, and country and to make their thoughts and demands known.
It’s time for Americans not only to know something, but to act upon that knowledge with immediacy and impact. WELCOME to the Know Something Project.
—Sherry Seiber
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