Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation. In 2015, during the midst of police brutality and social unrest, DeRay Mckesson rose to national prominence not only for his role in the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson but also for his platform of choice: social media. Since his rise as a figure in both traditional and online activism, Mckesson has also established a wide-ranging career, running the gamut from podcast host of the popular “Pod Save the People” show under Crooked Media to mayoral candidate in Baltimore’s 2016 election. His new book, On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope, is a memoir that dives into the systems that keep racial injustice in place. The book takes an in-depth look at the United States’ complicated history with oppression and race relations while also tracking the importance that technology has served in finding the “other side of freedom.”

While college campuses portray themselves as centers of academic achievement and innovative endeavors, Jonathan Haidt, best-selling author of The Righteous Mind, argues they are better characterized by their anxiety-inducing and depressive nature. In addition to worsening mental health, a culture of censorship and overwhelming sensitivity causes professors and students to fear speaking honestly. Haidt believes this toxic system is a product of excessive coddling reinforced by an arsenal of trigger warnings and microaggressions. In his new book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Haidt articulates the social trends that have come together to produce this conflicting environment and its impact on posterity. Contextualizing campus conflicts with intense political polarization, ubiquitous social media and rising hate crimes, he demonstrates why people have been subscribing to a system that aims to protect its young people. Come listen to a discussion about the negative ramifications of a well-intentioned movement. This program is generously supported by the Ken and Jackie Broad Family Fund

On the eve of the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS), we started the conversation about how solutions could be led by states, cities, businesses and NGOs. The Paris Climate Accord was successful in bringing together the entire world around a common goal. But as Gina McCarthy points out, “We need to get together and figure out how you address and drive solutions to climate that actually end up in not just a cleaner and healthier and more sustainable world, but one that’s more just.” This event is in partnership with Cool Effect, Capital Public Radio and the Global Climate Action Summit.

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry embodies a myriad of life experiences that few can credit themselves with. After graduating college at Yale, he enlisted in the Vietnam War and later served as a national representative for the anti-war movement. His career in public service includes serving 28 years as a U.S. senator, running as the Democratic candidate for president in 2004, and acting as U.S. secretary of state under President Obama. Kerry helped combat ISIS in the Middle East, negotiated the Iran deal, and advanced the fight against climate change with the Paris Agreement. In his profound and telling memoir, Every Day Is Extra, Kerry delves into these accounts as well as many other stories to convey his authenticity and depth. Few accounts contain such broad perspectives in a single tale, where he finds himself at the forefront of the anti-war movement; the growth of hyper-partisanship in Washington, D.C.; and the complexities of American leadership and diplomacy in the international arena. Come listen to Secretary Kerry tell a candid story of a life in public service that has stretched on for 50 years.

In recent years, the National Football League (NFL) has become a never-ending source of controversy. From the reveal that players have been suffering from traumatic head injuries to the widespread protests during the national anthem, the NFL has become nothing short of a circus fueled by madness. In his new book, Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times, New York Times Magazine chief national correspondent Mark Leibovich ventures into the chaos to articulate the games beyond the gridiron. Leibovich argues that the NFL is the center of one of America’s most dynamic culture wars. The sport that previously united its fans has now become weaponized for politically and economically motivated conglomerates. Leibovich walks across the sidelines and into the locker rooms to display the internal mechanisms that support one of America’s most coveted sports. Join us for a stirring conversation that brings us on an odyssey into the depths of the NFL.

This event is the latest in our member-led forums’ Crisis in Our Country summer series. Monday Night Philosophy examines America in crisis, convulsed by an array of pathologies that have arisen out of profound hopelessness, a bitter despair and a civil society that has ceased to function. The opioid crisis, the retreat into gambling to cope with economic distress, the pornification of culture, the rise of magical thinking, the celebration of sadism and hate, and a plague of suicides are the manifestations of a society that is being ravaged by corporate pillage and a failed democracy. As our society unravels, we also face global upheaval caused by catastrophic climate change. Although Donald Trump rode this disenchantment to power, Hedges argues that neither political party addresses the systemic problem. Capturing a poignant cry reported from communities across the country, Hedges seeks to jolt us out of our complacency while there is still time. MLF ORGANIZER NAME George Hammond NOTES MLF: Humanities

Our distinguished panel will discuss the San Francisco-Haifa sister city relationship and the two identical, temporary sculptures that sit over 7,000 miles apart. One sculpture can be found on Pier 27; the other can be seen on Haifa’s shoreline. Using art and technology to celebrate both cities’ vibrancies, these sculptures are interactive, cultural collaborations that allow visitors to view live feed across oceans and connect with one another. The remarkable sculptures, resembling lighthouses, were created by Saron Paz, an Israeli experience designer, and the San Francisco artist Matthew Passmore. The sculptures are dedicated to the late Mayor Ed Lee. MLF ORGANIZER NAME Celia Menczel NOTES MLF: Middle East

This week's in-studio guest: Cat Brooks Cat Brooks is an artivist and mother who has spent her life working on many social justice issues. In 2009, Cat joined the fight for Oscar Grant and was instrumental in developing organizing and communications strategies and leading multiple demonstrations. In 2013, Cat co-founded the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) whose mission is to rapidly respond to - and eradicate - state violence in communities of color. APTP has successfully developed a model for first response to police violence that is currently being replicated across the state of California and the country. Brooks is also the executive director of The Justice Teams Network. The JTN is a project in partnership with Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors that supports organizations and individuals across the state who are working to rapidly respond to state violence in their communities. Brooks is also the co-host of the morning drivetime radio show UpFront on Pacifica’s KPFA Radio Network. Cat is also a member of ONYX, the Black Power Network, Black Lives Matter-Bay Area and one of the Black Friday 14; a group of Black activists who locked down the West Oakland BART station on Black Friday in 2014. She recently wrote, starred and produced a one-woman show about the in-custody Tasing death of Natasha McKenna in a Fairfax County Jail in 2015. She lives in West Oakland with her daughter and her husband. Join us as Michelle Meow brings her long-running daily radio show to The Commonwealth Club one day each week. Meet fascinating—and often controversial—people discussing important issues of interest to the LGBTQ community, and have your questions ready. See more upcoming Michelle Meow Shows at The Commonwealth Club here.

The political world was turned on its head this past week as Bob Woodward's new book and an anonymous op ed were released; meanwhile, the Senate hearings for the Supreme Court nominee were particularly combative, the top races in California tightened up in a new poll, and just two months from now, the nation's voters will go to the polls in one of the most-watched midterms in decades. Join us as we discuss the biggest, most controversial and sometimes the surprising political issues with expert commentary by panelists who are smart, are civil and have a good sense of humor. Our panelists will provide informative and engaging commentary on political and other major news, and we'll have audience discussion of the week’s events and our live news quiz! And come early before the program to meet other smart and engaged individuals and discuss the news over snacks and wine at our members social (open to all attendees).

Concerned about climate change? One of the best things you can do is welcome taller buildings in your neighborhood. That’s because city dwellers use less energy and water than people living in the suburbs or rural areas. A recent bill in the California State Legislature proposed raising allowable height limits for new buildings near transit lines across the state. Residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles cried foul, and the bill died in committee. Environmentalists worried about climate change were some of the biggest critics of the proposed law. Others saw a green-tinged excuse for more gentrification and displacement. On the other side, Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman and other tech leaders favored the bill as a way to address the state’s affordability crisis. Are you a YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) or NIMBY (Not in My Backyard)? Are environmentalists hypocrites if they oppose efforts to use one of the biggest levers to fight climate disruption? Does urban infill drive out people of color in the name of going green? Join us for a conversation about shaping the future of Bay Area urban life in a hot and crowded world.