Talking Across Differences: A Conversation about Free Speech, Civil Dialogue and Respectful Discourse

Join us for a facilitated conversation about the state of our society, the erosion of public discourse and how to respectfully talk across differences. This event will be held in-person and feature Catherine Gerard, professor of practice in public administration and international affairs, research director in Collaborative Governance and senior research associate in the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration, and Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship.

Ahead of the event, we are asking students to watch a replay of last Friday’s event which featured prominent authors and commentators Michael Eric Dyson and John McWhorter. During this fireside chat, moderated by Provost Gretchen Ritter, Dyson and McWhorter expressed divergent views regarding free speech surrounding race and the portrayal of racial identity, and explored how to foster a diverse and healthy democracy in a period of polarization.

To watch last Friday’s event, visit https://video.syr.edu/media/t/1_ke1u3fmt. Please note, you will need to enter your NetID, password and participate in 2 factor authentication.

Pizza and refreshments will be served.