There are years in US history that serve as hinges. They represent the pivots, the years that are so momentous that they become the defining points of when everything changed, when the past became the future. Marked by pandemic, economic crisis, and massive social protest, is 2020 to be one of those years? These distinguished speakers will consider the historic legacy of the year.

November 3: The Legacy of George Floyd

Duchess Harris, PhD, University of Minnesota, is chair of the American Studies Department at Macalester College. 

November 10: The Year 2020 and the Political Future

Richard Painter is the S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota. He previously served as the US President’s chief ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration.

November 17: The Economic Future in a Pandemic

Ed Lotterman writes the "Real World Economics" column for the Pioneer Press. He has taught economics at the college level and enjoys explaining "the dismal science" to non-economists.

November 24: Nationalism of the Left: A Conservative Critique in a Time of Crisis
Peter Bell is the former Chair of the Metropolitan Council and a frequent media contributor to the Star Tribune as well as public television and radio.

Offered in cooperation with the Ramsey County Library with support from Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries. Moderated by Judy Woodward, history coordinator.