As part of our “For the People” speaker series, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is proud to welcome public television host and author Alexander Heffner on Thursday, September 8 at 7pm in the museum’s Union Theater for his presentation on “A Documentary History of the United States.”
As host of the long-running public television series The Open Mind and coauthor of A Documentary History of the United States, Heffner will explore our current moment in historical perspective examining an era of pestilence, insurrection, and cruel feelings through critical documents, such as speeches, testimonies, court decisions, tweets, and other digital postings. What impact are the current media and political climate having on the first draft of history?
Heffner will discuss the effects of divisiveness on discourse, campaigns, and governance as well as the influence of new media, disinformation, and filter bubbles that polarize society. What are possible prescriptions to correct this cycle? How can our social footprint translate into constructive instead of destructive behavior? How can citizens, government, and the press restore faith in civic life and the integrity of public policy?
Doors will open at 6pm. Attendees are invited to visit our new exhibit, "Stories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory." until the program begins at 7pm.
Plus, educators who attend this event and complete an evaluation survey will receive 1.5 CPDUs.
The “For the People” speaker series features bold thinkers with unique insights into the people of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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