On the heels of a historic election, what’s possible now?

SOCIETY

VIDEO (75 MIN)



Unfinished Live: Democracy & Voice

The 2020 election saw record voter turnout in the middle of a pandemic and resulted in the election of our nation’s first female vice president. For many this is cause for joy and relief. But for others, the election has them feeling angry and distrustful. In the second episode of Unfinished Live, presented with our partners at Unfinished, we explore what lies ahead for a nation deeply divided. Is it possible to rehumanize our political foes and even learn to love them? How can we learn to coexist? Hear from world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, social scientist and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, award-winning contemporary artist Carrie Mae Weems, minister and political activist Rev. William Barber II, and more, as we reimagine our shared civic life. Watch

SOCIETY

BOOK (AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD)

Domestic and International (Dis)Order: A Strategic Response



Bringing together preeminent experts,Domestic and International (Dis)Order: A Strategic Response is the latest edition of the Aspen Strategy Group’s series of publications that address the most pressing foreign policy challenges facing the United States. Full of essays like “Race in America” by Senator Tim Scott and “A Time of Domestic Reckoning and Renewal” by New America CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter,  it reflects the discussions from the ASG summer workshop — a resolutely nonpartisan meeting of experts from the fields of government, academia, journalism, and business. Delving into political divisions on the American homefront, the future of US-China relations, the global economy, and US foreign policy priorities for 2021, it’s a useful guide for the incoming administration and all who care about the state of our democracy and national security. Read

SOCIETY

PODCAST (57 MIN)

Can We Draw on Civil Rights History to Combat Systemic Racism Today?

The civil rights movement has affected all Americans, whether they realize it or not. The opportunity for everyone to vote represents a major shift, but changes in education, housing, and even sports reflect the strategic leadership of activists throughout American history. Stanford Law professor Pamela Karlan and Stanford University professor James Steyer discuss the history of civil rights movements in this country, including racial equality, women’s and LGBTQ rights, and how those efforts inform the work that still needs to be done today. Listen

Winter Words Author Series: Isabel Wilkerson

November 17

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson will discuss her latest best-selling book, Caste, with ElizabethAlexander. Wilkerson has become a leading figure in narrative nonfiction, an interpreter of the human condition, and an impassioned voice for demonstrating how history can help us understand ourselves, our country, and our current era of upheaval. Alexander is a poet, memorist, educator, and president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Register

All Land Is not Creating Equal

November 18

When it comes to the roots of wealth inequality in the United States, the worst problem for many is a confounding phenomenon called “heirs’ property” or “fractionated land.” Learn about the role of land in wealth inequality, about what these terms mean, and about strategies and policies that can address this issue to build both rural and urban communities that are more inclusive and resilient.

Register