What does democracy look like?

W
alt Whitman is known as “the world’s poet of democracy.” And, images from the “No Kings” protests that took place across the nation yesterday (June 14^, 2025) confirm that reputation. How so? Because they depict the literal embodiment of Whitman’s foundational metaphor for democracy – leaves of grass.

Why is that significant?  It’s a prime example of the purpose literature serves within society, as well as its ongoing relevance. Literature isn’t just entertaining poems and stories. It reflects our culture, and gives us insight into events taking place in our society.

Each blade in Whitman’s leaves of grass metaphor represents an individual within our larger democracy. And no two are alike…  just like the array of signs on display in the “No Kings” protests and the individuals who created them.

Together however, the individual leaves/blades of grass create a lush, verdant quilt that covers the ground. And, when you stand back far enough, you don’t see individual leaves/blades at all, but an organic unity.

Just like in these images of yesterday’s “No Kings” protests. They don’t call citizen activity like this grassroots movements for nothing. And, yes… this is what democracy looks like.

Whitman knew that a functioning democracy takes effort to maintain.  Demonstrations like the yesterday’s are a vital part of the work required to ensure that this country remains a democratic nation.

Yesterday’s nationwide protest was a response to Donald Trump’s military parade – the one that “just happened” to align with his birthday. Whitman also had a thing or two to say about these types of events.

He reminds us to keep in mind what the American Revolution was all about. What the revolutionaries were fighting for. And, more importantly, what they were fighting against.

Clearly, the folks who demonstrated in this nationwide “No Kings” protest have not lost sight of what the American revolution was about. Or the fact that we were fighting against an actual monarch then and demonstrating against a wanna-be king today.

Whitman doesn’t just talk about democracy. He calls upon us to carry the democracy that his leaves of grass metaphor symbolizes forward. And, he understood the significant role literature plays in developing and maintaining a democratic society. So, whether you participated in yesterday’s “No Kings” protest or not, bear in mind that reading is also a significant form of resistance.

There’s a reason why books are being banned in schools and libraries at greater numbers than ever. Because reading teaches us to think for ourselves and lets us see what wanna-be kings are up to. It reveals how they try to keep us divided.

Reading diverse books allows us to become acquainted with people whose lives are different from our own. To see them as our brothers and sisters rather than villains and enemies — a point Whitman also makes in his ode to democracy Leaves of Grass.

Whitman set out to create a style that would serve as a democratic model for society. His Leaves of Grass offers a tool for developing a democratic identity. No wonder it’s on so many banned lists.

Pair this piece with Leaves of Grass: a celebration of American Democracy to learn more about why Walt Whitman is described as “the world’s poet of democracy.”  And, why Leaves of Grass is more relevant than ever.

Images:

This is what Democracy looks like:  Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash

Individual blades of grass:  This Book is Banned Staff

Together, however:
“We don’t do kings here: Photos from Philadelphia’s ‘No Kings’ protest.”
Marty Joe Murray Jr. (78^th District Rep to Missouri Legislature) Facebook. June 14, 2025.
Jeff McDonald and Tammy Murga. San Diego Union-Tribune. June 14, 2025.

No Kings: nokings.org

Trump:  Burman, Theo. “White House Shares Photo of Donald Trump Dressed as a King.” Feb 20, 2025. Newsweek.

Reading is a form of resistance: This Book is Banned staff.