Discussion on How Ordinary People & Community Organizing Affect Politics
On November 10, the Religious Studies Department hosted our fall quarter RS Conversation entitled "A Better Kind of Politics? Faith & Organizing in the Age of Trump." The event was anchored by Prof. Nicholas Hayes-Mota and special guest Liz Hall, the Lead Organizer for Silicon Valley Allied for the Common Good (the local interfaith community organization that co-sponsored the American Agitators screening).
After a brief framing from Nicholas, Liz shared some of her own story as a faith-based organizer with the students, before leading them in a lively discussion about the true meaning of politics, the role of religion in public life, and the possibilities for advancing social justice and the common good at the local level and beyond, even in our challenging political moment. Nearly 30 students attended. Judging from the conversation and the reflections some wrote afterwards, the event provoked many students to think more deeply about their own role as citizens, and even inspired several to get more involved.
Nicholas Hayes-Mota & Liz Hall lead RS Conversation discussion