Vanderbilt University
Professor of History at Vanderbilt University, where he studies social movements, and author of American Crucible: Race and Nation in the 20th Century and Working Class Americanism
PROFILE
Gary Gerstle
Guest
FROM Gary Gerstle
Which Way, L.A.?
What's the Future of 'Occupy Wall Street?' Demonstrators were evicted this morning from Zuccotti Park, but New York isn't the only city where "Occupy Wall Street" has clashed with local officials. We hear what's happening in other places and ask if the movement has a chance to make political change.
To the Point
What's the Future of 'Occupy Wall Street?' Around the country, city officials are trying to decide what to do about protests related to "Occupy Wall Street." In Oakland California, there was a violent confrontation with police three weeks ago. Yesterday, the Frank Ogawa Plaza was peacefully evacuated . Early this morning, New York police removed protesters from Manhattan's Zuccotti Park. Today, in what one liberal website calls "the revenge of the one percent,” many came back, insisting that they'll continue what they call a political movement against the entrenched power of financial interests. We hear from New York and from other cities around the country, including Oakland, California, Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Is this a movement with the potential to make political change? Will the response of local governments be important to shaping its future?
Which Way, L.A.?
Patriotism and Political Dialogue: Symbol of Pride or Barrier to Debate? Barack Obama's patriotism is being questioned because he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel. His pastor's sermons are called un-American. Congressional votes on anti-flag-burning bills are considered tests of patriotism, even though the Supreme Court has declared that flag burning is constitutionally protected speech. Do nationalism and patriotism illuminate or confuse political dialogue in America. Does the Founding Fathers' notion of American exceptionalism control our politics? How does the expression of American patriotism compare to displays of patriotism in other countries? Do our symbols of patriotism get in the way of real political debate?
To the Point
Patriotism and Political Dialogue: Symbol of Pride or Barrier to Debate? Barack Obama's patriotism is being questioned because he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel. His pastor's sermons are called un-American. Congressional votes on anti-flag-burning bills are considered tests of patriotism, even though the Supreme Court has declared that flag burning is constitutionally protected speech. Do nationalism and patriotism illuminate or confuse political dialogue in America. Does the Founding Fathers' notion of American exceptionalism control our politics? How does the expression of American patriotism compare to displays of patriotism in other countries? Do our symbols of patriotism get in the way of real political debate?
Recommended
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.