Straighttalk Series

StraightTalk 2024: Politics in the Divided States of America

September 3, 10, and 17 | 6:30 p.m. | McAlister Auditorium at Furman University

PRESENTED BY THE RILEY INSTITUTE AND OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The U.S. 2024 presidential election has been coined “an election about everything,” as nearly every political issue today is presented as a battle in which our national identity and values are at stake. During this StraightTalk series, we will explore the impact of our political division as we approach the 2024 elections. We will examine how our media landscape—rife with structural disinformation and artificial intelligence campaigns—shapes partisan public opinion on key voter issues, often clouding our understanding of actual policies and their real-life repercussions. We’ll unpack how issues are framed to divide us, repressing our interest in facts that may stand in opposition to our “side” and weakening our collective ability to solve problems. Finally, we will learn what can be done to foster political common ground and seek a more holistic understanding of the facts, myths, nuances, and outcomes regarding issues that matter to us and to our communities.

The Riley Institute and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute partner annually to bring StraightTalk to Furman and the broader community. This three-part weekly series includes high-profile speakers, academicians and practitioners who have on-the-ground experience with issues of relevance to all Americans. The events include speakers who present diverse perspectives, whether they represent different political parties; government at local, state, and federal levels; small-scale to multinational non-governmental organizations; or traditionally marginalized voices in the series topic. All have credible information to share with the audience, and their presentations inspire thought and engagement with the critical issues of our time.

Learn more about StraightTalk 2024 and previous years on the Riley Institute page.