—Natalie, a conservative and a senior at a private school on the West Coast
—Eduardo, a liberal and freshman at a public community college on the West Coast
A recent poll by the Pew Research Center showed 64% of Republicans believe that colleges have a negative impact on the country, while 76% of Democrats believe they have a positive impact.
Among the top reasons for the Republicans’ negative perception is the belief that “colleges and universities are politicized and favor liberal views,” according to a new survey published by the Constructive Dialogue Institute and More in Common. These organizations work across differences to build inclusive cultures, including at universities.
According to the organizations' survey, 40% of students who identify as "very liberal" said they take offense to perspectives shared by peers or classmates personally when in the classroom in contrast to 20% of students who identify as "very conservative."
A recent survey by the Knight Free Expression Research Series showed that 84% of college students recognize the importance of free speech on campus, yet half of them felt uncomfortable disagreeing with their professors or peers, according to The Washington Post.
To take it a step further in the fight for free speech on campus, student journalists at the high school and college levels have encountered increasing threats regarding censorship, funding, anti-press sentiment, and online harassment in recent years, according to the Columbia Journalism Review.
College students Clare Ashcraft, who comes from a conservative background, and Jackson Richter, who calls himself a committed liberal, are active members of BridgeUSA, a national movement of students who are working to emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding and ideological diversity.
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Subscribe to our NewsletterThis is Jessie Nguyen, The Democracy Group's Community Manager. Here are some of my favorite podcasts this week, check them out!
This episode was recommended by our founder Jenna Spinelle, and I honestly found it super interesting! It explores the possibility of an independent candidate winning the presidential seat in 2024 through the points of view of swing voters. The episode also looks at the failures of historically well-known independent candidates like Teddy Roosevelt or George Wallace. With last week’s chaotic Republican debate and as the public trust and approval rating for Biden continues to plummet, I found this much-needed episode extremely refreshing.
I’ve had many chances to talk with politically involved students, recent graduates, and professors and they all have one thing in common — time management, which I think is much easier said than done. This episode not only hones on the skill but also explores how to juggle multiple commitments with being an active citizen through a fascinating conversation with Kevin Elliott, the author of Democracy for Busy People. The episode was practical and applicable, especially for college students.
Hedrick Smith is a former New York Times correspondent and editor and a documentary reporter for PBS. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient for International Reporting and Public Service and has twice secured the Emmy awards. He has also authored five best-selling books including The Russians, The Power Game: How Washington Works, and Who Stole the American Dream? — the latter was discussed in an episode by the Village SquareCast. Smith, whose alma mater includes Harvard University and Ballilol College — a constituent of the University of Oxford, has also served in the U.S. Air Force.
Stavros Lambrinindis is an ambassador of the European Union to the United States who acts as a diplomatic liason who represents EU interests, policies, and priorities. Lambrinidis has served as vice president of the European Parliament and director-general of the International Olympic Truce Center, an International Olympic Committee organization. He earned a doctorate in Law at Yale Law School.
Subscribe to receive a biweekly collection of the hottest podcast episodes from the network, upcoming special events, expert features, and news from your favorite shows.
Subscribe to our NewsletterFaced with an increasing number of young Americans who are losing faith in U.S. democracy, a Democracy Journal article advocates for an innovative way to approach one of the pillars of a democratic society — civic education.
Read PostWe welcome five students from around the country who are all about storytelling, civic engagement, and, most importantly, creating their own podcasts! These Gen Z leaders are ready to get to work!
Read PostThe States United Democracy Center, recipients of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy's Brown Democracy Medal, recently surveyed nearly 8,000 Americans to gauge their attitudes about elections, voting and political violence.
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