What to know

Video: 1m:45s

• Sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom joins News Hour's Geoff Bennett to discuss waning public trust in political institutions and how to regain a sense of power and purpose during an onslaught of news.
• "The more time you spend doing something ... the less exhausted you are by the onslaught of information," McMillan Cottom said. She recommends getting more involved in one's community, not less — and in whatever way people can manage, such as volunteering to help a child to read or attending a protest.
• To listen to the full interview on News Hour's "Settle In" podcast, click here.

Why it matters

According to McMillan Cottom, research that supports boosting civic engagement as a means of dealing with depressing news headlines provides a sense of hope that people's actions, big or small, can make a difference.

Discussion questions

• Were you surprised to learn that getting more involved (not less) helps to fight political exhaustion? Why or why not? Do you agree? Explain.
• What do you normally do when you feel exhausted or overwhelmed by the news?
• What are some examples of civic engagement or civic action? What types of civic activities would you be interested in trying?

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