EXTERNAL: The Phil Lind Initiative Speaker Series
The United States is polarized like never before. While not alone in this respect, polarization in the United States is especially pernicious because it is accompanied by a high degree of negative partisanship as well as the unchecked spread of misinformation and disinformation. As a result, uncivil discourse—the use of language which is insulting, contemptuous, and which knowingly misattributes the motives of others—and political violence is on the rise, as witnessed in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Disillusioned with the state of political discourse, many Americans wish to restore civility. But how can a civil culture be reimagined in the current era?
This series not only explores some of the major factors fueling the rancor and divisiveness in American politics, but crucially it asks how can citizens and leaders find common ground across a range of political issues that divide them? Since Canadians are not immune to these forces, we too must ask how to sustain the respectful, honest, and deep conversations we need to address the substantive challenges facing democratic societies.
Upcoming speakers:
- February 16: John McWhorter – Beyond Free Speech: Understanding the True Nature of What Divides Us
- March 2: Safiya Noble
- March 23: Linda Greenhouse
- April 20: Jonathan Haidt
Tickets are FREE, registration required. Click here to get tickets!
EXTERNAL: We are sharing this event on behalf of our friends at UBC. The event is not being hosted by Whistler Public Library, and therefore may be updated, changed, or canceled with little notice.