Change our Language, Change our Politics: Il Humanities Road Scholar

The current American political climate is notoriously full of acrimony and vitriol. Research suggests that the partisan division in the US electorate is widening as Americans increasingly segregate by class, geography, and ideology. Are we hopelessly destined for a future of political combat in which Americans are unable to even hear the other side? What if bringing us a little closer was as simple as changing the political language we use?

From issues of race to the role of government, language plays a significant role in fueling political division. Terms like conservative and liberal, black and white, pro-choice and pro-life, gun control, and illegal immigrant all are loaded with a set of definitions and often erroneous assumptions that drive intense emotion. If someone is pro-choice, are they pro-abortion? If a person is pro-gun control, are they against the second amendment? Does being for the ‘dreamers’ mean that one is against national borders? What does support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement say about positions toward other ethnic groups? Are people rigidly and consistently either conservative or liberal?

This talk is designed to change the way we discuss politics. By changing the terminology that we use in our civil discourse, we can turn down the volume in our conversations; We may realize the commonality of our aspirations and that a commitment to respectful pluralism provides us all with a space to co-exist.

Ted Williams III will help us learn how to find our voice via the language we use in order to make a positive impact on our community: when speaking to our representatives, when running for office, and when fighting for equality, learn how to use your voice effectively. 

This is a hybrid program. You may watch Ted Williams' presentation online by following the link below: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83547979856?pwd=YXZZODFJTFNiNkdVd2dQT1pXTGk1dz09