Virtual Forum: Building Back or Breaking Down? American Politics Now.
THURS, DEC 8, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Join us as Michael Krasner, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, takes us on a deep dive into President Biden's first year in office in the context of the larger issues and forces that are dominating our politics: infrastructure, voting rights, climate crisis. What is our role? How can we shore up our democracy to protect and unite these United States? Come with your questions, comments and ideas.
ALL WELCOME!
Tell family, friends, neighbors. We depend on you to get the word out. FREE event.
FREE virtual event. Zoom info will be available right here the week of the event.
ABOUT MICHAEL KRASNER
An expert in American government and politics, Michael Krasner is co-director of Queen's College’s Taft Institute for Government, which promotes better understanding of the political process among young people. Since 1970 he has taught courses on politics and the media; presidential, gubernatorial and mayoral elections; American foreign policy; public policy; and arms control and disarmament.
Virtual Forum: What's Next NY? The Aftermath of the Elections.
THURS, NOV 18, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
A new Mayor, a reconstituted City Council, a pitched battle for Governor, Buffalo and ballot proposals. Join Let’s Talk Democracy on Thursday November 18 at 6pm as Ben Yee, and co-host Ed Wong, take it all on and answers your questions.
ALL WELCOME!
Tell family, friends, neighbors. We depend on you to get the word out. FREE event.
FREE virtual event. Zoom info will be available right here the week of the event.
ABOUT BEN YEE
Ben Yee started his career as a fundraiser and Digital Director for Barack Obama in 2008. He was recruited by the newly-elected Democratic State Senate to help revamp their IT infrastructure. Since then he has dedicated himself to better politics through empowering people. He joined Reinvent Albany, a good-government nonprofit invested in reforming New York State, invested in the Young Democrats. Understanding the importance of tech education to all children he teaches kids to code. Currently he is Secretary and State Committee member for Assembly District 66 in Manhattan committed to transparency in government. WEBSITE
ABOUT ED WONG
Edwin has been a community advocate for more than 20 years and more recently in the Forest Hills and Rego Park neighborhoods of Queens. He is an advocate for Education, Small Business, Families, Seniors and all residents. He is currently our Local State Committee Member for District 28 in Queens. WEBSITE
Mae Ngai, Prize-winning author and history professor at Columbia University returns to Let’s Talk Democracy on Thursday to discuss the history of anti-Asian racism in this country. Her new book The Chinese Question (2021) masterfully links important themes in world history and economics across three continents, from Europe’s subjugation of China to the rise of the international gold standard and the invention of racist, anti-Chinese stereotypes that persist to this day.
ALL WELCOME!
Tell family, friends, neighbors. We depend on you to get the word out.
Zoom info will be available the week of the event.
ABOUT MAE NGAI
Mae Ngai, is a national authority on the history of immigration and a professor at Columbia University. She is the author of Imposible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America (2004), and The Lucky Ones: One Family and the Extraordinary Invention of Chinese America (2010).
Not happy with legislation to restrict rights for important issues like voting and abortion? Join us as Let’s Talk Democracy re-ZOOMs with Melissa Walker from Future Now to talk about the key, but often overlooked, role of STATE GOVERNMENT. Melissa will explain how states are laboratories for federal programs, and how the most important issues – voting, healthcare, civil rights, education, clean air and water – are decided at the state level. Learn how we can get involved, how to be most impactful with your activism and why state legislatures are where it’s at if you want to transform American politics and improve people’s lives.
ABOUT MELISSA WALKER
Melissa Walker, a versatile and innovative writer and former magazine features editor, and the author of 10 published novels for young readers, is now involved in state politics. Working from the premise that the best place to influence and improve both daily lives and federal power, Melissa became the Director of Giving Circle at Future Now Fund to help people engage networks to create political change at the state level.
Disturbed by the rash of voter suppression laws and state legislation designed to dismantle our election apparatus? Worried about the prospect of the Senate supporting this blatant attack on our democracy? Then JOIN US via Zoom at our virtual Voter Advocacy Fair and find out what YOU can do about it! We have invited several groups actively engaged in making a difference, like Common Cause, Future Now, and Crossing Party Lines, that will offer a range of opportunities for people to get involved and make their voices heard. Learn how to write Letters to the Editor; make an impact with postcards/letters and phone banking to key states; pressure the private sector (corporations/sports teams) to make a stand for democracy, and much more.
Virtual LTD Forum: Protecting Our Democracy - Responding to Voter Suppression by Prof. Michael Krasner
THURS, MAY 27, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Many of us are deeply disturbed by the enactment of various voter suppression legislation across the country and see it as a threat to our democracy. So, what can we do about it? Join us as Michael Krasner, Political Science Professor at Queens College, takes as through the good news and the bad news confronting us now. His recommendation: "don't get frustrated, get involved!" So tell family, friends, and neighbors...help us get the word out!
Zoom details will be available the day before the event.
ABOUT MICHAEL KRASNER, PROFESSOR AT QUEENS COLLEGE
An expert in American government and politics, Michael Krasner is co-director of Queen's College’s Taft Institute for Government, which promotes better understanding of the political process among young people. Since 1970 he has taught courses on politics and the media; presidential, gubernatorial and mayoral elections; American foreign policy; public policy; and arms control and disarmament.
Virtual LTD Forum: The Power of Narrative-Climate Skepticism and the Deconstruction of Science
THURS, APRIL 29, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Let’s Talk Democracy presents Shondel Nero, Professor of Language Education at NYU, who will talk about “The Power of Narrative” and how it influences people to become climate skeptics in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. Why have these stories, as well as those around other contentious issues, including the pandemic and the election, been so compelling to large segments of the population? Can we move beyond our ideological war of words and become a community telling honest stories based in reality that unite us?
FREE...All invited!
ABOUT SHONDEL NERO
Shondel Nero is a Professor of Language at NYU and Director of the Program in Multilingual Multicultural Studies in the Department of Teaching and Learning. She is a Fulbright scholar and author of many books including co-author of the recently released “The Power of Narrative: Climate Skepticism and the Deconstruction of Science.”
Virtual LTD Forum: Fighting Asian Fighting Bias and Racism
THURS, APRIL 22, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Grace Meng, our representative in D.C. serving her fifth term in the United States House of Representatives, joins us this week to address, among other issues, the recent Anti-Asian hostility, terror and violence. Bringing her personal perspective as an Asian-American, she will discuss recent events and what she (and we) can do about it. Bring your questions, concerns, comments.
FREE...All ARE invited!
ABOUT GRACE MENG
Grace Meng is an American lawyer and politician serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives (for New York's 6th congressional district in Queens, NYC) and is Vice Chair of the DNC. Previously, she served as a member of NY State Assembly, representing the 22nd assembly district in Flushing, Queens. She is the first Asian-American to be elected to Congress from New York.
Virtual LTD Forum: Ranked Choice Voting and the New York City Primaries
THURS, MARCH 25, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Big elections are coming up in New York City: it's time to select a new MAYOR who will have to walk us back from this corona virus catastrophe, and two thirds of the CITY COUNCIL seats are up for grabs. And it all starts on June 22 with Primary Day!! In addition, for the first time we will use a new method of voting called Ranked Choice Voting. Instead of choosing just one candidate, we’ll get to rank up to five favorites in order of preference. Join us as Ben Yee walks us through all of it from an insider's perspective. All welcome: invite friends, neighbors and family members.
ABOUT BEN YEE
Ben Yee started his career as a fundraiser and Digital Director for Barack Obama in 2008. He was recruited by the newly-elected Democratic State Senate to help revamp their IT infrastructure. Since then he has dedicated himmyself to better politics through empowering people. He joined Reinvent Albany, a good-government nonprofit invested in reforming New York State, invested in the Young Democrats, and founded a startup to empower citizens. Recently, understanding the importance of tech eduction to all children he has started teaching kids to code. WEBSITE
EVENT CANCELLED
Virtual LTD Forum: Biden's First 100 DaysCANCELLED
THURS, MARCH 4, 2021, 5:30 - 6:30PM
Join us this month as Let’s Talk Democracy presents Congresswoman Grace Meng. She brings an insider's view in her discussion about the priorities of the Biden Administration, her perspective of January 6th as someone who was there, and the role of women in government.
Bring your questions, concerns, comments. Tell friends, neighbors, family members. All invited on ZOOM.
All invited. Join us and spread the word!
ABOUT GRACE MENG
Grace Meng is an American lawyer and politician serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives (for New York's 6th congressional district in Queens, NYC) and is Vice Chair of the DNC. Previously, she served as a member of NY State Assembly, representing the 22nd assembly district in Flushing, Queens. She is the first Asian American to be elected to Congress from New York.
Virtual LTD Forum: INSURRECTION! What Happens Next?
THURS, February 11, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Let’s Talk Democracy presents Benjamin Carter Hett, history professor, former lawyer and author, to lead a discussion about the recent insurrection at D.C.'s Capitol building. Comparing the events of January 6th to the Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup led by Hitler in Munich Germany in 1923, he explains how history can help us understand this painful moment. Join us for a fascinating discussion about this terrifying and defining event in our country as we all search for the best way forward and answers to questions about what we do with the aides and bureaucrats who helped this administration violate the norms of our democracy. All invited. Join us and spread the word!
ABOUT BENJAMIN CARTER HETT
A professor of history at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, Professor Hett is a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship winner for the Humanities. He is the author of several award-winning books, including Burning the Reichstag and The Death of Democracy, and makes regular appearances as a speaker, on radio, television, and podcasts, and in historical documentaries. For more info: Benjamin Carter Hett
The election and the year 2020 are over. But the new year has brought a new onslaught of challenges. Join us as Prof. Michael Krasner reviews recent post-election events and explains the possibilities -- and gives us hope -- for a way forward as the country prepares for the transition of a new administration.
ABOUT MICHAEL KRASNER, PROFESSOR AT QUEENS COLLEGE
An expert in American government and politics, Michael Krasner is co-director of Queen's College’s Taft Institute for Government, which promotes better understanding of the political process among young people. Since 1970 he has taught courses on politics and the media; presidential, gubernatorial and mayoral elections; American foreign policy; public policy; and arms control and disarmament.
We are deeply grateful to Michael Krasner for his scholastic contributions to our first workshop series. His willingness to show up to our first session in spite of a personal injury that day is a testiment to his unfailing commitment to our cause.
We greatly appreciate the extraordinary support of The Taft Institute at Queens College and the help that allowed us to realize our dream.
We are very grateful to Queens Library for their ongoing support of our organization and to the Forest Hills branch in particular for providing a welcoming venue for our events and activities.
Special thanks to the NY Public Library and the Seward Park Brnach for their help in our expansion to Manhattan.
