President’s Lecture Series: Politics, Trust, and the American Public
SPEAKER: Hoppy Kercheval
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
COST: Free
Putting “politics” and “trust” in the same sentence can feel like a bit of a stretch. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that just 17 percent of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right. By comparison, a YouGov poll found that 28 percent of Americans believe Bigfoot exists.
This lack of faith in politics and governing institutions has serious ramifications for the country. There are strong arguments that declining confidence in leadership and institutions is justified, while others point to increasingly toxic political discourse as a key driver of that distrust. Either way, the result is a widening gap between the public and the institutions that govern them.
As President John F. Kennedy once said, “If people lose faith in their government, the result is the same whether or not the loss of confidence is justified.”
So, are our best days behind us? The answer, as always, depends on us. Before we look to political leaders for all the solutions, we should also engage in some self-reflection, study our history, and seriously consider what is necessary to preserve and protect the republic.
About this lecture series:
Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, former president of Shepherd University, created this distinguished lecture series for the campus and community, and it became a cornerstone of the Lifelong Learning Program. The series continues to be a valued collaboration between Lifelong Learning and the Office of the President, and we are pleased to carry this tradition forward as we welcome Shepherd University’s new president, Dr. Cameron B. Wesson.
All lectures, which are free and open to the public, take place in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. These lectures will also be livestreamed on the Shepherd University Youtube channel.
Organizer: Shepherd University Lifelong Learning
Location: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium
Source: View original event