"We the People" aims to foster an informed citizenry

At a time when many Americans are disillusioned with politics and government, and against the backdrop of this fall's heated presidential election campaigns, the Tang Museum is offering an opportunity for visitors to step back and re-engage with their Constitution and renew their sense of citizenship.

 We the People gallery, with hand-crafted benches

The Tang exhibition We the People is a dynamic laboratory for exploring constitutions—the U.S. Constitution in particular—as lived processes, examining the way these documents create order, configure communities, and form collective identities. The show offers a series of events to help the public explore these themes, as well as a space for quiet reflection. The gallery will provide pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution and a place for visitors to write about their ideas for amendments to strengthen the Constitution.

"Our relationship with the Constitution is direct," says Professor of Government Beau Breslin, who inspired and consulted on the exhibition. "The unfortunate thing is that we tend to look at the Constitution through a prism of political institutions. But we don't have to go through the Supreme Court or what Congress or the President says the Constitution is. So let's engage with it in a creative way, directly, one-on-one."

Events related to We the People will explore such themes such as citizenship, community, the state of political discourse, voting and elections, technology and the Constitution, and more.  Below are some event highlights through December.  For a full listing of events click here. 

Saturday Oct. 20, 6–7:30 pm:
Opening Reception for We the People

Tuesday, October 23, 7:00 pm
"Balancing Perspectives: An Informed-Voter Panel"
Skidmore professors will present information on the presidential and party positions on a wide range of issues including religion, gender and family, healthcare, immigration, foreign policy, environmental issues, and social programs.

Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
Panel Discussion: "The Informed Voter, Continued: What Affects the Latino Community Affects Us All"
Students from two Skidmore organizations, Raíces and the Spanish Club, will present the presidential and party positions on issues important to the Latino community and will facilitate audience discussion.

Tuesday Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
What to Expect When You're Expecting the Election, and Election Returns Extravaganza
A discussion with Professor of Government Ron Seyb on the battle for the swing states, followed by live coverage of the election returns on multiple screens. Event includes refreshments, contests, balloons, and more.

Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
Lecture: "Can the Constitution Cope with Our Polarized Politics?
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The talk will be given by Paul Pierson, the John Gross Professor of Political Science at the University of California at Berkley and co-author of Off-Center: The Republican Revolution and the Erosion of American Democracy.

Tuesday Nov. 27, 7 p.m.
Discussion: "The Return on the Returns: Two Different Views"
The event will feature Erica Seifert '02, senior associate at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, and Benjamin Clarke '01, political consultant and freelance writer. Seifert specializes in American politics and elections, voter participation, and U.S. economic issues. Her clients include National Public Radio, Women's Voices.Women Vote, Public Campaign Action Fund, and the Campaign for America's Future. Clarke has worked in Washington, D.C. as a political consultant and speechwriter and served as chief political writer for GOP strategist Frank Luntz, speechwriter for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and communications consultant for Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m.
Film: "All the King's Men" (1949, dir. by Robert Rossen)
Film screening and discussion lead by Natalie Taylor, associate professor of government, and Jennifer Delton, professor of history.    

Posted On: 9/28/2012