Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In immediately’s world the place the loudest voices typically drown out differing factors of view and make productive debate troublesome, civil discourse has turn into an oxymoron.
The exhausting reality is that with out a extra civil society, freedom turns into extra fragile. We’ve already witnessed how divisive rhetoric can result in dysfunction with the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But how will we rein in partisanship in order that constructive debate can return to the general public sq.?
To attempt to reply this query, the College of Charleston has created the brand new College of Charleston Speaker Series on Public Discourse and Civility, hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist Kathleen Parker, aiming to spotlight the worth of civility when sharing opposing concepts.
The inaugural occasion, which is free and open to the general public, will characteristic longtime political commentator Chris Matthews, former host of MSNBC’s Hardball, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2022, in Alumni Memorial Hall. In addition to her internet hosting duties, Parker will function the sequence’ government director. She additionally has a one-year appointment on the College as a distinguished professor of business follow.
“I am excited that we are working with Kathleen Parker on this important speaker series,” says College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu. “Not only is Kathleen an award-winning journalist and writer, she is a thought leader in the arena of public discourse. She understands the importance in our democracy for having platforms for thoughtful, civil debate and dialogue on difficult topics.”
Parker, who spoke throughout graduation workouts on the College in 2020 and whose youngest son, John Cleveland, graduated from CofC in 2007, hopes the sequence will spotlight how we are able to have civil conversations and bridge political divides.
“I’m very excited to work with the College on this important initiative and am equally grateful for President Hsu’s vision,” says Parker. “He understands the critical need to mend our nation’s divisions and seek higher ground by elevating the way we talk to one another.”
- College of Charleston Speaker Series on Public Discourse and Civility
