Professor Steven Sehr will lead an in-person conversation on how American politics have boiled over

VANCOUVER — The Historic Trust and Humanities Washington invite the community to an engaging in-person conversation with Professor Steven Stehr, a member of the 2021-2023 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program, on Thu., Sept. 28. 

About All the Rage: How American Politics Boiled Over

Name-calling, shouting matches, cutting off relatives, and even violence born of intense disagreements — there is bipartisan agreement that the current state of politics in the United States is troubling. How did we get here, and what can we, as a society and as individuals, do about it?

Professor Steven Stehr investigates the roots and consequences of the dysfunction that characterizes the current state of politics in America. Stehr leads a conversation that asks, how did our political spaces become war zones? To what extent is the lack of civility and policy gridlock driven by long-term trends in American society? Is contemporary America somehow different than the way it was in the past? Was there ever a “golden age” of bipartisanship and civility in the United States? 

Using historical examples and contemporary cases, Stehr shows audiences how the erosion of civil discourse harms democracy, and what can be done to combat it.

About Professor Steven Stehr

Steven Stehr (he/him) is the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility at Washington State University. He earned his PhD in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council, National Academy of Science, and the Century Foundation.

At a Glance

Who: Professor Steven Stehr
What: All the Rage: How American Politics Boiled Over
When: Thursday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St., Vancouver, WA 98661

Registration

This program is offered free of charge but seating is limited. Event registration available HERE.

About Humanities Washington

Humanities Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening minds and bridging divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. For more about Humanities Washington, visit www.humanities.org.

About the Speakers Bureau Program

In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.

Their roster of over 30 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Find a Speakers Bureau event near you.

To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, Humanities Washington partners with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, community centers, and civic organizations. Qualifying nonprofit organizations are encouraged to host a speaker.

The Speakers Bureau program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.

About The Historic Trust

The Historic Trust seeks to inspire civic pride through education, preservation and celebration of our community’s history.