Virtual Forum: Pianists, Dictators, and Cultural Ambassadors - World Politics and Classical Music in America
THURsday, DECember 15, 2022, 7:00 - 8:30PM [NOTE LATER TIME]
Join us as Jonathan Rosenberg takes us on a fascinating journey to the intersection of politics and music in 20th century America. He will review how the classical music traditions of Germany, Italy and Russia became touchstones for controversy over many decades, as Americans struggled with the meaning of democracy, the nature of tyranny and oppression, and the new role America was playing in the world. Through this lens, he will discuss historical and contemporary questions regarding cultural diplomacy.
FREE VIRTUAL ZOOM EVENT
Join Us! All Invited!
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Zoom login info available a few days before the event right here.
ABOUT JONATHAN ROSENBERG
Jonathan Rosenberg teaches twentieth century U.S. history at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Before receiving his Ph.D. in history from Harvard, Rosenberg, a graduate of Juilliard, worked as a classical musician.
Virtual Forum: 2022 Midterms, Part 2 -The Aftermath...What Now?
THURsday, November 17, 2022, 7:00 - 8:30PM [NOTE LATER TIME]
Come back for the conclusion of the 2022 Midterm Elections. Michael Krasner, Political Science Professor Emeritus and expert in American government and politics, returns to Let's Talk Democracy with a review and analysis of the 2022 Midterm Elections. What happened and what can we expect now? What can we learn about the direction our country decided to take and how, in the aftermath, can we still make our voices heard. Tell family, friends, neighbors and co-workers!
FREE VIRTUAL ZOOM EVENT
Join Us! All Invited!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
Zoom login info available a few days before the event right here.
ABOUT PROF MICHAEL KRASNER
An expert in American government and politics, Michael Krasner is co-director of The Taft Institute for Government, which promotes better understanding of the political process among young people, and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Queens College. 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.
Join us as Michael Krasner, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, dissects the competing interests and headlines in advance of the 2022 Midterms to explore what’s really at stake. How is this year different? He’ll help us understand how the moving parts interact -- from the rulings of the Supreme Court, election integrity, the rule of law, the health of our democracy to the notorious inaccuracy of polls these days. What should we be listening for? What is our role? Come with your questions, comments and ideas.
FREE Virtual Zoom Event
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
Zoom login info available a few days before the event right here.
ABOUT PROF MICHAEL KRASNER
An expert in American government and politics, Michael Krasner is co-director of The Taft Institute for Government, which promotes better understanding of the political process among young people, and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Queens College. 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: Where the Action is in 2022 - State Legislatures
THURsday, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Let's Talk Democracy is back with an exciting fall lineup of online forums. We're starting the season strong by putting the SPOTLIGHT on where the action is in 2022: State Legislatures. These "down-ballot" races are where reproductive rights, LGBT rights, voting, book bans, along with climate and gun laws, are decided. Find out what the Independent State Legislature Theory is and what it means to our democracy. Melissa Walker from the States Project returns to Let’s Talk Democracy to discuss these issues and more! So join us from wherever you are on Thursday September 15, 2022. We're learning that democracy is not a spectator sport...we need everybody to get involved to make their voices heard! Zoom link available here a few days before the event.
FREE Virtual Zoom Event
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
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.
Virtual Forum: Why is the Media Helping to Destroy American Democracy?
THURsday, JUNE 9, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
All forms of media have an enormous impact on American society and in particular on our democracy. Why do they tend to emphasize and report on the events that engage us on an emotional level? What role do they play in radicalizing people, especially young white men, toward extremism and violence? Michael Krasner, Political Science Professor, will walk us through these important issues to help us better understand who’s behind the media, the changing role media plays in our lives today and how it impacts our national conversation.
FREE Virtual Zoom Event
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
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: The Covid Pandemic - How Has It Changed Us?
THURsday, may 12, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
With this ever-evolving health crisis, has anyone remained unchanged? Is there a silver lining to all the loss and isolation? Join us for this open virtual discussion as we explore these issues with a multi-generational group of people from our own community: parents, kids, teachers, workers and retirees. Let’s honor the past two years, and the resilience shown in light of the challenges faced, as we try to deal with the “new normal.” Bring your experiences, comments and questions.
FREE Virtual Zoom Event
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
Virtual Forum: Dealing with Climate Crisis in NYC, with Jasmine Graham
THURsday, APRIL 7, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Wondering what the ratings on buildings mean and what you can do about them? Wondering how NYC is faring regarding resilience in the face of our next storm? Join us when Jasmine Graham of WE ACT for Environment Justice walks us through how New York City is tackling the carbon footprint of our large buildings and how we can create sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. You'll also meet Ajani Stella, a Hunter High School student, who will talk about the important and meaningful action kids are taking to address the climate crisis. Bring your questions for the Q&A that follows.
FREE Virtual Zoom Event
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
ABOUT JASMINE GRAHAM
Jasmine Graham is the Energy Justice Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, responsible for strengthening and advancing the organization’s energy policies. She joined from Sustainable Westchester, where she served as the Westchester Power Program Manager and developed initiatives to create and promote local renewable generation and community-scale efficiency. Prior to that, she was a Legislative Researcher at the University of Vermont’s VT Legislative Research Service, synthesizing economic and social policy issues and publishing legislative research reports.
Jasmine is a Founding Member of the Trust for Public Land’s Next Gen Steering Committee. She also served as the Founding Political Chair of the Women of Color Coalition at the University of Vermont, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Development.
Ajani Stella is a youth climate activist living in New York City where he attends Hunter High School. He is the founder and leader of Kids Fight Climate Change, a youth-led nonprofit organization which is dedicated to teaching youth about the climate crisis. Ajani has been engaged with climate action since he spoke to the New York City Teachers Retirement Fund Board of Directors about divesting from fossil fuels when he was ten years old. Since then he has participated in and moderated numerous panels about climate education and action.
Virtual Forum: Women and The Vote, with Susan Goodier
wednesday, Mar 2, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
At a time when the Equal Rights Amendment is getting new energy and we are once again fighting for national voting rights standards, it is important to remember that these struggles are not new. In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Susan Goodier, author of Women Will Vote, will address this important issue and explain how it requires constant vigilance, people of all kind, and coalition-building. Please join us via ZOOM on WEDNESDAY (note the day change), March 2, 2022 at 6pm. All invited...FREE to attend.
JOIN US!ALL WELCOME!
We depend on you to get the word out so tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.
FREE virtual Zoom event.
ABOUT SUSAN GOODIER
Susan Goodier, PhD is Assistant Professor of History at SUNY Oneonta where she studies U.S. women's activism, particularly woman suffrage activism. She holds a master's degree in Gender History and a doctorate in Public Policy History from SUNY Albany, with subfields in International Gender and Culture and Black Women's Studies. Her recent book, Women Will Vote, focuses on coalition-building which enabled women to finally get the right to vote.
Virtual Forum: Defunding Disinformation, with Nandini Jammi
THURS, FEB 10, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
Hate speech and disinformation are dividing us and tearing away at the fabric of our country. Do corporations have a role here? Marketers care a great deal about “brand safety” and yet online advertising is complicated and opaque and the landscape is constantly changing. Often Advertisers don’t know the context in which their ads are appearing on the internet. Join us to hear how watchdogs like Nandini Jammi, co-founder of Check My Ads Institute, lets companies know – and calls them out – when their ads appear next to controversial and inflammatory content. Find out how this happens, and what you can do about it.
JOIN US!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 Nandini Jammi
Nandini Jammi is an American activist and brand safety consultant. She is co-founder of the Check My Ads Agency and the associated non-profit Check My Ads Institute, both ad tech watchdogs. Back in 2016, she co-founded Sleeping Giants, where they succeeded in getting hundreds of large brands to stop running ads on Breitbart. She is active in informing businesses, pressuring them to stop supporting bad faith publishers — websites that publish misinformation or conspiracy theories, or engage in advertising fraud. She offers ideas for safe and sustainable advertising practices which empower the marketer to avoid objectionable content on the web and to uncover and dismantle the disinformation economy.
Virtual Forum: The Impact of Climate Crisis on NYS
THURS, JAN 13, 2022, 6:00 - 7:30PM
The Climate Crisis is affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and impacting lives. In our own country we are seeing unprecedented fires, floods, and drought. And in New York we experienced two severe storms within 10 days back in August. We have a new governor and the possibility for historic legislative action on climate this session in New York State. A big force behind getting this done is NY Renews, a coalition of over 300 environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups. Nan Faessler and Glenn Jacob, long time community organizers, environmental justice proponents and volunteers with NYRenews will be with us to explain what is happening in Albany and how we can engage to make an impact. We are grateful to our co-sponsors: the Forest Hills Green Team and the Sierra Club!
JOIN US!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 NAN FAESSLER AND GLENN JACOB
Nan Faessler has been politically active since the 60s. After retiring 6 years ago she moved from Los Angeles to Harlem and bacame an active member of the grassroots organization, Indivisible Harlem. She also sits on both the Organizing Committee and Lobby Committee of NY Renews and is a very proud member of the Climate Justice Working Group of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, a northern Manhattan EJ community organization.
Rabbi Glenn Jacob is the executive director of the NY affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light, an organization at the intersection of religion and climate change. Before coming to NYIPL he served synagogues from the Deep South to Long Island for over 25 years. In the Deep South, Rabbi Jacob was a civil rights advocate on issues of church and state, reproductive rights, hate group monitoring with the Southern Poverty Law Center, and funding for public education.
NY Renews is a coalition of over 300 environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law. We fight for good jobs and climate justice, and we’re not finished yet. For more information: NY Renews
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.
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.
