America's Slow Civil War: Rising Extremism and Failing Democracy with Jeff Sharlet

Описание: Jeff Sharlet, a renowned author and journalist, discusses his book 'The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War' at the McCourtney Institute for Democracy.

Sharlet shares his extensive research and anecdotes from his travels across the United States, exploring complex and often troubling narratives such as the rise of Christian nationalism, the influence of far-right movements, and the ongoing cultural struggles..He reflects on the growing hostility and fear within certain fringe groups, offering a critical view of the current state of democracy. Charlotte encourages empathy, solidarity, and continuous struggle in the face of these challenges, drawing inspiration from historical and contemporary figures, including Harry Belafonte. The talk underscores the importance of understanding, confronting, and navigating through the complexities of today's socio-political environment.

00:00 Introduction Jeff Charlotte
03:10 Jeff Charlotte's Opening Remarks
05:03 Exploring the Undertow
08:34 The Rise of Extremist Movements
11:44 Personal Encounters with Extremism
18:41 The Symbolism of Flags and Verses
21:34 Pete Hegseth and the Civil War Question
23:39 The Violent Story of Gideon
24:09 The Power of Theater in Politics
25:24 The Evolution of Trumpism
26:27 The Martyr Myth of Ashley Babbitt
27:55 The Era of Ritual Sacrifice
30:26 A Close Reading of Evelyn's Story
32:21 The Enduring Ethos of QAnon
36:12 Empathy and the Struggle for Solidarity
41:46 Harry Belafonte and the Long Struggle

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Jeff Sharlet is the Frederick Sessions Beebe ’35 Professor in the Art of Writing and Director of Creative Writing at Dartmouth College and author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War.

An instant New York Times bestseller, The Undertow is an unmatched guide to the religious dimensions of American politics, and shows how the task of binding our nation together is a daunting one, but the fate of American democracy depends on it. Exploring a geography of grief and uncertainty in the midst of plague and rising fascism, The Undertow is a necessary reckoning with our precarious present that brings to light a decade of American failures as well as a vision for American possibility.

Sharlet is also the author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, which was adapted into a Netflix documentary series, and This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers.

His reporting on LGBTIQ+ rights around the world has received the National Magazine Award, the Molly Ivins Prize, and Outright International’s Outspoken Award. His writing and photography have appeared in many publications, including Vanity Fair, for which he is a contributing editor; the New York Times Magazine; GQ; Esquire; Harper’s; and VQR, for which he is an editor at large.