This is Book II, Patriotism and Politics, of three books in the Real Advocacy Journalism® series. Book I focused on Ethics and Values. Book III will address Justice and Equality.
Book I has received great editorial reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Reviews, Chanticleer International Book Reviews and more. It also won the Silver Award from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association.
I have been an advocate journalist for the past four decades.
Being a journalist has not been my formal training nor my profession. Becoming an advocate journalist has been my calling.
As circumstances, issues, and forces—social, political, economic—occur all around me, push against me, I have chosen to push back. I have consciously entered and continue to enter the fray, using the power of words—the only real and lasting weapon I have.
The writings of an advocate journalist always boil down, directly, or indirectly, intentionally, or unintentionally, to a plea—imploring the reader or listener to think, to consider the facts, the circumstances, the workable solutions for the issues at hand, and when appropriate and necessary to engage in action.
In carrying out my calling to be an advocate journalist, I have primarily addressed some of the most enduring issues of our times. But also, I could not ignore the temporal—pressing issues of the hour. Most of my writings during the last four decades have maintained their relevancy, fulfilling a needed voice.
As a collection, the selected commentaries are snapshots of history and are included because of their timeliness and timelessness.
During the past four decades, they have been written for a large radio station, a major metropolitan daily newspaper, community newspapers, and are currently online.
In my writings, I have endeavored to practice the tenets of Real Advocacy Journalism® —stick to the facts, analyze them, and put an event, situation, or issue into perspective in order to foster a better understanding and provide direction to form an opinion or pursue an action. Real Advocacy Journalism® is the focus of my book, Shaping Public How Real Advocacy Journalism® Should Be Practiced (2021).
All commentaries, written across the decades, have been chosen for their enduring relevancy in terms of the timeliness, or timelessness of their subject matter—then and now. Many represent historical accounts of defining moments, incidents, and issues that have had lasting impacts and lessons learned.
My hope is that in sharing my attempt to improve understanding about issues that impact us all you will be informed, enlightened, inspired, and have reaffirmation that in addition to our beliefs, our words and actions are what advance a more civilized and better society.
Janice S. Ellis, M.A., M.A., Ph.D., is an award-winning author of six books and an award-winning columnist.
A native daughter of Mississippi, she grew up and came of age during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement. Born and reared on a small cotton farm, she was influenced by two converging forces that would set the course of her life.
The first was the fear and terror felt by Blacks because they were seeking to exercise the right to vote, along with other rights and privileges afforded to whites. She became determined to take a stand and not accept the limits of that farm life nor the strictures of oppressive racial segregation and gender inequality. She aspired to have and achieve a different kind of life, not only for herself but for others.
The second was her love of books, the power of words, and her exposure to renowned columnists Eric Sevareid of The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite and Walter Lippmann, whose column appeared for more than three decades in over 250 major newspapers across the United States and another 50 newspapers in Europe.
Dr. Ellis has been an executive throughout her career, first in government, then in a large pharmaceutical company, later as President and CEO of a marketing firm, and as President and CEO of a bi-state non-profit child advocacy agency. Along with those positions, she has been writing columns for nearly five decades on race, politics, education, and other social issues for a major metropolitan daily newspaper, a major metropolitan business journal, and for community newspapers. She wrote radio commentary for two years for one of the largest ABC radio affiliates in Wisconsin and subsequently wrote and delivered a two-minute spot on the two largest Arbitron-rated radio stations in the Greater Kansas City area. She has also written for several national trade publications, focusing on healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry.
Currently, she is a columnist for the Missouri Independent. She has her own website, JaniceSEllis.com, which houses a collection of her writings and where she continues to write commentary.
Dr. Ellis is an award-winning author of six books. Her most recent book, USING MY WORD POWER: Advocating For A More Civilized Society, Book III: Justice and Equality (2025), is the third book in the Real Advocacy Journalism® series; Book II: Patriotism and Politics (2024). Both books were First-Place winners of the Nellie Bly Nonfiction Journalism Award, received and continue to receive great editorial and customer reviews.
From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream (2018) and the New Edition (2023). Both have received national and international awards, great editorial reviews, and continue to receive great customer reviews.
USING MY WORD POWER: Advocating For A More Civilized Society (2022) has received great editorial reviews and was a First-Place winner of the Nellie Bly Nonfiction Journalism Award. It also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Award in the Nonfiction – Social Science/Political Science/Culture category.
Shaping Public Opinion: How Real Advocacy Journalism™ Should Be Practiced (2021) won the Nellie Bly Nonfiction Journalism Award and the Gold Medal Award for nonfiction books from the Non-Fiction Author Association. It has received great national editorial reviews and continues to receive great customer reviews.
Follow her on Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
This second volume, much like the first, is nothing short of incredible. The author’s keen eye for examining the intricate relationship between patriotism, politics, and the way people communicate is truly remarkable. Through her extensive experience as a journalist, she offers an insightful analysis that unpacks how these elements influence societal discourse and individual perspectives.
What I particularly appreciate about this book is her approach to tackling pressing issues such as race, healthcare access, and gun violence. Rather than offering simple solutions or partisan rhetoric, she emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue and understanding. Her reflections on how we can foster conversations rooted in empathy and knowledge are both admirable and inspiring. She actively invites readers to join her in building a more informed, compassionate society—an effort that is desperately needed in today’s polarized climate.
Furthermore, her grounded approach—based on factual accuracy and real-world understanding—sets this work apart. It provides readers with a robust toolkit of arguments and factual frameworks, empowering us to form well-informed opinions. Whether engaging in debates or simply seeking to understand these complex topics better, this book offers valuable insights and evidence-based perspectives that lead to more meaningful and respectful discussions.
In sum, this volume is a compelling call for truth, empathy, and civic engagement. It’s a must-read for anyone eager to navigate today’s societal challenges with integrity and informed conviction.
Ellis’s Using My Word Power profoundly confronts America’s persistent racial and moral issues. Her quote, “The pervasive, persistent, and insensitive use of Native American nicknames and mascots only reinforces the need for a public dialogue,” compelled me to reflect on cultural respect. She writes about the social and political challenges with the clarity of someone who has seen and experienced a lot. The chapters are short and focused. And Ellis has the ability to blend personal experiences, compelling examples, and thought-provoking discussions with her crisp writing. She challenges us to “face this scourge, confronting it, and actively taking the necessary steps to make things better,” which I interpret as a call for ongoing education and action against racial insensitivity. Her analysis of the “impact of racism on voting rights” and the “impact of Confederate monuments” made me realize that symbols of hate still influence societal attitudes. Ellis emphasizes that “only facing this history and taking meaningful action will have lasting meaning,” inspiring me to advocate for change. Her work prompts me to reflect on how societal symbols and attitudes shape our moral landscape. This book serves as a vital reminder that justice and equality require active engagement and moral courage to confront the uncomfortable truths about our nation’s past and present. This is a book every American should be reading now. And it’s a book every politician won’t want you to read.
What I loved the most about Ellis’s Using My Word Power is her urgent warning about the fragility of American democracy. She writes, “Our democracy is strong enough to withstand this test and will be the better for it,” words that are hopeful and that encourage, especially during this period of political upheaval in the United States. She shares her work in this book and offers glimpses into her experience of living the American dream. This book is about what we deserve and how we can contribute to making it a reality. While the book speaks about advocacy journalism, it reinforces the key values of freedom and expression embedded in the US Constitution. This author distills her message into language that is accessible, offering examples and case scenarios that are relatable. Her call to “revisit how elections are held” made me realize that voting alone isn’t enough—monitoring, engaging, and speaking out are essential. Ellis’s vivid examples of the “rise of misinformation” and the dangers of propaganda motivate me to be more vigilant. Her assertion, “The role and responsibility of the press is needed more than ever,” underscores the importance of truthful journalism. This book serves as a wake-up call to protect our democratic foundations by staying informed and active, reminding me that democracy’s survival depends on our collective effort.
Janice S. Ellis’s Using My Word Power is the book I badly needed this time, and I felt compelled by the author’s call for civility and integrity in advocacy journalism. Advocacy journalism is what we need most at this time, especially when civil liberties are trampled upon and when big politicians care less about the voice of the people. This book showcases the author’s work, shows why advocacy journalism is essential, and explains how it can be done with sterling examples. Her decades of experience shine through as she emphasizes the transformative power of words in shaping society. What struck me most was her journey—her lifelong fight against injustice, her candid reflections on race, politics, and morality. The book isn’t just a collection of essays; it’s a blueprint for how each of us can leverage our voice to promote a more civilized society. Ellis’s unwavering belief that truthful, fair, and meaningful discourse can change hearts and minds resonates deeply. Her emphasis on accountability, ethics, and the moral responsibility of journalists and citizens alike challenged me to reconsider my role in public dialogue. American needs this book and it is one to pass on to others.
Using My Word Power is a compelling work that beautifully describes our responsibility as patriots and the need to use our voices to promote values of democracy and human decency. Janice Ellis’s work establishes the link between the power of our words and positive change in society. Her experience as an advocate journalist lends authenticity and urgency to her message. Her insistence particularly moved me that honest, fair discourse can bridge divides and heal wounds in a fractured nation. The book tackles topics from patriotism and ethics to racial justice and political integrity, urging us all to be conscientious participants in democracy. Ellis’s calls for moral clarity, accountability, and respectful dialogue challenge me to reflect on my voice—how I can contribute to positive change. Her passionate advocacy for truth and fairness reminds me that words can be powerful tools for societal transformation. This book isn’t just a critique; it’s an inspiring call to action—an invitation for each of us to harness the power of words to build a more just, respectful, and civilized society. I will carry its lessons with me as I strive to speak and act with greater purpose and integrity.
What struck me most about Ellis’s Using My Word Power is her passionate call for active civic engagement in the book. She reminds us, “Voting is a small investment that yields decisive consequences,” asking readers to recognize that our silence fuels the decline of democracy. Her words, “Our democracy has always faced the challenge of how it can work the best for the public good,” resonate deeply, especially at this moment when politicians work for a select few billionaires and stand against those who voted them into service. Ellis’s fiery tone and personal stories inspired me to see supporting civic responsibility as a moral duty. She emphasizes that “We all can be about shaping public opinion within our orbit of influence,” which reminds me that change begins with individual voices. This book isn’t just about politics; it’s about reclaiming our power through words and action. Ellis’s call to “speak out—loudly and clearly” is a rallying cry for anyone who cares about the future of America. Her work fuels my conviction that democracy requires our active participation, not complacency.
Reading Janice Ellis’s Using My Word Power felt like a wake-up call to my civic responsibilities. Her eloquence and clarity remind me of the vital importance of honest advocacy in today’s polarized climate. Ellis’s lifelong dedication to truthful journalism and social justice inspires me to be more deliberate with my voice. The book’s emphasis on morality, patriotism, and fairness underscores that words are more than mere symbols—they are weapons for change. I appreciated how she blends personal anecdotes with broader social issues, from racial inequality to political accountability. Her call for citizens to engage actively rather than as passive spectators challenges me to participate more fully in democracy. Ellis’s insights on the power of advocacy journalism as a tool for societal progress are compelling. This work has reignited my conviction that each of us must speak up with integrity and insist that truth and decency guide our collective future. It’s a timely reminder that civility and moral clarity are the foundations of a more just society.
Using My Word Power is a book that really made me think. The author, Janice S. Ellis, writes about big topics like patriotism, politics, and I felt like reading about my own country. What I loved about this book is how she shared her own thoughts and experiences from many years of work in journalism.
It is written like a series of journalistic commentaries. Each section feels like a newspaper column or a radio piece, short, focused, and written to make you think. Because of this, every part feels like a small lesson. Some parts made me stop and reflect, especially when she talked about race, health care, and gun violence. It can feel heavy sometimes, but also real and important.
What stood out to me was how she talks about the power of words. It made me think about how I speak, write, and vote. Her message is clear: our voices matter. Even when I didn’t fully understand some older political topics, her way of writing helped me stay interested.
This book as the author puts it, may sound like a plea, but for me it ended up being an interesting and profound invitation, invitation to what? Well, to acquire social and political awareness, to get involved as a reader, as a civilian and as a human being in issues that are perpetuated throughout history and have an impact on the cursor of the destiny of our society. The comments are perfectly selected to always show a point, a scenario or a perspective that ends up being relevant according to the given context and with a background analysis very well done, understandable, concise and thought-provoking at all times. However apolitical you may be as a reader, this book has a way of captivating and generating an analysis as a society that you will not be able to avoid. I have read this author before and I must say that this was one of her works that I liked the most.
Our voice matters, and the invitation to be active instead of just spectators is boosted by this amazing book. Ellis is a great journalist with an incredible writing style who captures the reader’s attention in every part of the book. It is fascinating how she manages to structure each section with a style that feels like reading a column, including personal insights while also empowering and informing the reader on sensitive topics like race, health and violence. What I like the most is how she approaches each topic with sensitivity, giving it the respect it deserves. What truly connected with me is the idea that sometimes we are just passive actors, and informing ourselves through books like this provides us with the ability to speak up and become active participants in these global issues. Enjoy a great book by an amazing writer and learn about important topics in a truly engaging way.
Our voices hold power, and this remarkable book encourages us to move from being passive spectators to active participants. Ellis is an exceptional journalist with a compelling writing style that captivates the reader from start to finish. I find it impressive how she structures each section like a personal column—blending insightful anecdotes with informative content—especially on sensitive subjects such as race, health, and violence. What resonates most with me is her thoughtful and respectful approach to these topics, giving each the attention it deserves. The idea that we often remain on the sidelines, unaware or uninvolved, resonated deeply. This book serves as a reminder that by educating ourselves through works like Ellis’s, we gain the confidence and knowledge to speak out and engage meaningfully with pressing global issues. Enjoy this engaging read by a talented writer and discover important topics presented in a way that informs and inspires.
Ellis’s Using My Word Power offers an enlightening exploration of the moral fabric that sustains a civilized society. She states that “The decline, and eventual demise, of a civilized society is usually a gradual one,” which made me pause and reconsider the subtle erosion of core values. “It is a strong sense of morality that guarantees freedom,” is one of her statements that gripped me and had me thinking. The chapter on the “Values and Laws that Make America Great” challenged me to think about what truly defines us as a nation. Ellis writes, “Holding fast the principles upon which this country was founded, the common ideals that unite us, is a prerequisite to securing our future.” This book is a masterclass in civic responsibility, and it showed me how little I knew about using my voice to contribute to positive change. The book reflects on resonant themes and invites readers to become key players in the common good by actively participating.
From the cover, Using My Word Power by Janice S. Ellis promises to be a powerful read, and it does not disappoint. This second volume maintains the high standard of the first, exploring with clarity and depth the relationship between politics and social justice in the United States. Ellis does not limit herself to analyzing the current situation; she invites reflection and, above all, action. Her message is clear: democracy demands active participation, and every citizen has the responsibility to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders.
What stands out most is the committed tone of the book. Ellis writes with the conviction of someone who strongly believes in democracy and the people's ability to choose their own future. Without a doubt, an important book for anybody looking to understand and act in today's complex political landscape.
This second volume, like the first one, is incredible. How the author looks at the relationship between patriotism, politics, and how people talk to each other is an amazing analysis that she does through all her writings and experience as a journalist. I like this approach that she is making to important issues such as race, healthcare access, gun violence, among others. The analysis and reflection she makes about how we should have a respectful discussion about this is admirable, and how she invites and pursues everyone to build a more informed and caring society. Also, the way the author approaches this book based on a real understanding of situations, using factual accuracy, gave me and anyone who reads this book different arguments and tools to build our own opinions based on well-informed facts and arguments to really have solid statements when you’re talking about this topic
What really caught my attention about this book is the author’s writing style. She expresses her ideas in a simple and direct way, and you can immediately tell she is a seasoned journalist. Her approach is very accessible, she avoids unnecessary jargon, which makes it easy for anyone to understand the messages she is trying to share. That is one of the things that makes this book so engaging.
I also appreciated that, even when addressing difficult or sensitive topics, the author never loses sight of the human side. Through her writing, she conveys a deep concern for people, their rights, and of course, their well-being.
In short, the author encourages readers not to remain passive observers. She inspires us to get involved, to become better citizens, and to communicate with others in a thoughtful, constructive, and positive way.
It is incredible the way in which the author analyzes the relationship between politics and patriotism taking into account that at the moment of reading each fragment she implements a way to involve you so that in a very particular way you can understand each one of these stories in a very personal way, she makes you feel those stories or tales after each written fragment.
It is a reading that I can manage to recommend if you like politics from another point of view having evidence and experiences lived by the author of this second volume, taking into account that it has a very particular approach to provide us as readers knowledge such as race, health care, education and everything that is not really talked about and less from a journalistic point of view. She gives us the knowledge to be able to provide an informed and supportive society.
This book is part of a series, and it is written from the point of view of an advocate journalist. To be a journalist is to try and report the facts, usually in an unbiased way. However, to be an advocate is something different. It is the act of trying to speak up for cultures, individuals, and anyone else who doesn’t have a voice but who desperately needs one.
This author takes the time in this new book to speak about the issues that she has chosen to advocate for over the years. She makes the point that many of them are more vital now than ever before. This is an introduction not just to the causes that she has chosen to champion, but also to the very act of advocacy itself. It is passionate, written in a direct, engaging fashion, and feels very timely.
Janice Ellis explores the true face of advocacy journalism. In this second delivery, she dives down specifically into the patriotic sentiment and the politics behind it. It was a complete and detailed read, the author does a great job describing each situation, she analyzes the event in every possible way, giving the reader the chance to make their own conclusions. To me, the reality is far away from the objective, it depends on which side of the road you are standing.
It is a recommended read for lovers of politics. Ellis analyzes society from top to bottom, showing that she is well-informed regarding current and past events, and imprinting her perspective on some of the most discussed topics nowadays.
A great read “Using my word power” is an informative and interesting book penned by Janice S. Ellis PhD. Along these pages, as an advocate journalist she has the knowledge and words to share her thoughts, ideas and facts about a variety of important topics, such as education, poverty, community, and security that concerns any nation. It’s crucial that inhabitants learn about them to defend and protect their rights as citizens. In a way, Janice is fostering people’s knowledge and own views to build a civilized and better society. I found it very engaging and clear due to the examples or commentaries that the author has included as part of her experience. So, all in all, it’s an inspirational and open-minded book worth reading.
From my point of view, there is nothing more pleasant than reading stories written by the people who lived them. Definitely, the way they tell it is different, as you read and advance in the reading, you can perceive the different feelings and emotions that the writer had at the time when the events narrated occurred, giving a different touch to the reading. And allowing the reader to feel more identified with what he is reading. This book is an example of this; it is AMAZING how Janice S. Ellis, the author of this magnificent book, shares some of her experiences, as well as dealing with current issues, from the eyes of a journalist and making her approach known. It is a gripping read from beginning to end.
I enjoyed reading this second book. It’s amazing how Ellis, through her journalism, can highlight important topics—in this case political and patriotic issues—by presenting facts, real information, and multiple perspectives so the reader can become informed and form their own opinion. I love reading Ellis’s work, and I find it very impressive how she uses journalism to give voice to matters that concern us all, regardless of which country we live in. After finishing this book, I not only felt confident taking a stance on certain political issues but also gained a deeper appreciation for the power of communication and learned to use my own voice wisely—to stand up for others and for myself.
This book is very interesting. The author is a person with extensive experience in the world of journalism, writing on topics such as patriotism and politics. I really liked the way the book is written, as it is a series of journalistic commentaries. Each section feels like a newspaper column, as it is short, concise, and thoughtful, as all journalistic articles usually are. I found it to be a very thoughtful book, with sections where we have to pause and carefully analyze what the author was saying between the pages, touching on sensitive topics such as race. It is definitely a book worth reading if you are looking for a very interesting and thoughtful read.
Using My Word Power by Janice S. Ellis is an interesting collection of short articles and opinion pieces advocating for a variety of issues and human rights. As an advocate journalist, Ellis focuses on serious societal issues and tries to engage readers enough for them to take an active part in redressing injustices and addressing political and social issues. The book is primarily US-centered, so I recommend this to readers interested in (or personally experiencing) the American political landscape. I would have liked to see a more global outlook personally, but there is nevertheless plenty of food for thought in this volume. I am giving this book four out of five stars.
I highly recommend this reading, it is very interesting to see the experience of a journalist with a very strong conscience about what this vocation should mean. In this specific book, there is a lot of talk about justice and equality, two concepts that I find quite complex as they can become very individual and that blurs the boundaries. It is a reading much more focused on informing and making known all those facts that make human existence complex, and above all help you to evaluate how our actions and words do have an impact on our society and how it is our responsibility to change and move forward. It is a must read.
As a social communicator, I’ve always understood the power of words and the importance of being coherent between what we think and what we do—even though these behaviors can be very difficult and challenging in today’s society. This book not only highlights the power of words but also the importance of ensuring our actions reflect what we say. In our current society, the situation is tough—people are under pressure not only from others but also from social expectations, social structures, and the constant stream of communication we receive every day. This book is both thought-provoking and enriching. Highly recommended!
This book was very inspiring to me as a woman, I love being able to read such impressive analysis from the perspective of such a successful and brilliant woman. I think I've always been very aware of these kinds of circumstances, but I hadn't had such detailed, grounded and well explained in-depth analysis of so many events that are so momentous for us as a society. A great message I take away from the book and the author is that the idea of justice can be too strong a driving force for humanity and fighting for it will never be too late or too exhausting. As long as there are people with this conviction the world will be a little better.
''Using My Word Power'' is a powerful read, intended to inform, enlighten, and inspire you to believe in a better, more civilized society. On this occasion, the author addresses topics of patriotism and politics, reflecting and expressing opinions that affect society in the United States. These opinions open our eyes and invite us to reflect on how society works and how we can contribute to change. Chapters like "Focusing on the Values That Make America Great" and "Moving Away from the Great Principles That Built America" were the ones I recommended the most, especially given the current situation in the country. It is an excellent read to analyze and share.
Really into this type of book, the ones that feel like a conversation with someone. The author brings a very honest perspective to politics, to society and everything that shapes the daily lives of everyone. It is a very reflective book; it leaves the reader pushing to think outside what they know, to question and engage on the real world issues. It is honestly really nice to read about these topics in a more relaxed and real tone, and that doesn't go with just pointing out the problems but encourages us to understand and take action. Definitely, an eye opening and impactful read.
I have been reading a lot of this journalist lately and I have encountered a world that many times I want to ignore, but day by day I realize her presence in every aspect of life. I highlight the author's audacity and ability to touch on issues that are very complex to evaluate facts and analyze them to reach many resolutions that are complicated but are real in our reality. I love the narrative of this author, many times it is difficult to speak with such frankness of such sensitive issues as in this book that talks about politics and patriotism, but she manages in a very subtle way to speak with the truth, which today is a gift.
This second book surprised me even more than I was surprised by the first one, and that is something very difficult to achieve. From the very beginning, the narrative starts to grab you with approaches that highlight the importance of respectful, ethical and informed communication to achieve great goals in the world of patriotism and politics. What I liked the most were the tools that this book gave me, the most important in my opinion were the examples to develop communication skills that favor mutual understanding of dialogue on political issues, highlighting that differences are essential to achieve a more just society and avoid extremism. It is definitely a book that I loved and from which I can say that I learned things that I now value very much. Highly recommended.