This historic and wildly unpredictable election has left many in America stunned and divided. What happened? And more important, what is ahead? The Common Good hosted a ‘Post-Election Panel’ to discuss ‘The New Political Landscape–History in the Making’ for a candid discussion on the winners and losers, and what it means for our nation.
President Lincoln will be forever enshrined in the national consciousness for his moral courage in abolishing slavery. But economist and author Norton Garfinkle explained how this great president also has strong lessons for us today on how a great nation is built upon an economy based on shared progress. Garfinkle talked about Lincoln’s life and achievements anew through this important and refreshing lens – and show how Lincoln’s approach on the economy, from railroads, bridges, to commerce, are more relevant than ever in the times we live in today.
We were pleased to have highly respected pollster Mark Mellman join us to shed light on the current status of the campaign race to the 2016 presidential election. As part of his discussion, Mellman shared his views on the impact of the primary schedule, subgroup polling insights, and the key influencing factors.
Voting rights for many are at risk. Ari Berman, author and investigative journalist joined The Common Good to discuss “Voting Rights & the Efforts to Limit Voting Rights Today” and why young voters, minorities, the elderly and others should be concerned as well as his book “Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America”
The first American Spirit Award of the evening was given to acclaimed artist William Pope.L, for Activism in the Arts. Pope.L was presented the award by TCG member and art documentary filmmaker, Diandra Douglas, who has made many documentaries and films for MoMA, HBO and Channel 13. Pope.L, while humble in his acceptance, was honored for his witty, intense and bold artwork that brings political and social messages to public attention. He spoke of the importance of art as a tool of activism.
The Common Good inaugural forum assembled some of the brightest thinkers in the US with a day of dynamic presentations on today’s complex economic and political landscape. Leaders from many fields provided provocative discussions on the issues you want to know about – where we are today, where we need to go in the next 5 to 20 years, and how we are going to get there. Each of our speakers offered practical and insightful information on the global and national landscape essential for public policy or investment decision-making.
The Common Good took a delegation to Selma, Alabama for the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Selma, marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, listening to President Obama’s speech and greeting various leaders and civil rights figures of the past and present from Congressman John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Amelia Boynton, Kevin McCarthy, and many others.
