American college campuses deserve a speaker series worthy of the American embrace of competing ideas to innovate. Respect + Rebellion aims to provide it.
Universities have long been seen and experienced in Western cultures as a place where the ideals of free inquiry and deliberative democracy are embodied. But in recent years – and the fury of the American political debate has accelerated and people have isolated themselves in tribal media silos – colleges across the nation have become front-page news for alarming instances of censoring particular voices and protests escalating to near violence when two ideas come into conflict. Universities may now represent a kind of collective “canary in the coal mine” suggesting that the enlightenment value of the pursuit of truth is at real risk in such polarized times.
If escalating anger has a chance of becoming constructive engagement, it won’t happen with a lame finger wag about how we’re supposed to behave, it will be because we remembered that jumping into conversations about competing ideas is fascinating and it’s the conversation we deserve.
There is so much we see in this generation of college students that suggests “hero generation” is an apt description for them – they have broadly shown a heroic devotion to protection of vulnerable groups in society, to causes larger than themselves, to a worldwide sense of justice and progress. We think they’re poised for this challenge.
Respect + Rebellion is a project of The Village Square.
All the boring stuff is below.
BORING STUFF
Contacts:
Liz Joyner
Founder + CEO
(850) 264-8785
liz@villagesquare.us
Jacob Hess
Village Square Salt Lake City Director
jzhess@gmail.com
Mailing address:
To the Village Square, Inc.
P.O. Box 10352
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(Official) Mission Statement: The Village Square is a non-partisan public educational forum on matters of local, state and national importance. We are dedicated to maintaining factual accuracy in civic and political debate by growing civil discourse on divisive issues, and recalling the history and principles at the foundation of our democracy.
What We Do (Unofficially): The Village Square believes in the power of dialogue and disagreement. We spearhead a variety of programming centered around civility and community-building (especially among political opposites). We assist other communities with their civility efforts and provide support as needed. Events and programs are created with the intent of building community, fostering dialogue, encouraging disagreement, and ultimately, increasing empathy.
Legal Organization: To the Village Square, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated in the State of Florida and organized under Chapter 617 of the laws of the State of Florida and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to The Village Square are tax-deductible for income tax purposes. Dinner tickets are not deductible, however, as they are priced to reflect the entertainment value received.
Donations: Tax-deductible donations may be made by mail to the above address, or online by major credit card or through paypal by clicking here. You will receive an receipt for your records.
The Village Square is a non-partisan public educational forum on matters of local, state and national importance. We are dedicated to maintaining factual accuracy in civic and political debate by growing civil dialogue on divisive issues, and recalling the history and principles at the foundation of our democracy.
501(c)3 status documentation available here. State of Florida DR-14 documentation is available here.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
To the Village Square, Inc.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Registration # CH22844
Expiration Date: April 30, 2022
Political and legislative activity prohibited: To the Village Square will not participate in political or legislative advocacy to support or oppose any issue or candidate. While politics is a topic of conversation, the organization will serve a strictly educational role to the public, supporting a full and accurate hearing of the facts. While individual members of the Village Square may personally be involved in political activities, they are strictly prohibited from representing The Village Square in doing so.
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