The Woods Hole Public Library invites everyone to come together to reflect on and reconnect with the foundation of our democracy this Flag Day by participating in Handwriting the Constitution. On Saturday, June 14, from 3pm to 5pm, participants can come to the Library to hand write the United States Constitution, one word at a time, creating a powerful, personal connection to the document that shapes our nation. The concept for Handwriting the Constitution was developed in 2017 by conceptual artist Morgan O’Hara, who describes the process as “a powerful and transformative form of activism for introverts.” The project has spread through the United States as well as internationally, expanding the focus beyond the US Constitution to documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international Constitutions. In an article about her project in the New York Times, O’Hara explains, “Hand copying a document can produce an intimate connection to the text and its meaning. The handwriter may discover things about this document that they never knew, a passage that challenges or moves them. They may even leave with a deeper connection to the founders and the country, or even a sense of encouragement.” Participants will have the opportunity to copy whichever parts of the Constitution they choose, starting with the famous “We the people” preamble or perhaps jumping around to less familiar sections or amendments, and there is no requirement for how little or how much each person chooses to write. This will be a time for individual, quiet introspection, not political or legal discussion. There is no registration required, just come to the Library with a notebook and writing implement. Copies of the Constitution will be on hand.
