Revolutions historically have come in waves, and the world appears to be riding one now – from the Arab Spring to anti-austerity protests in Greece to the more recent Occupy movement.
In a discussion of his new book, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges examines the social and psychological factors that foster rebellion. And he makes the case that environmental destruction and wealth polarization are planting the seeds of modern revolt in the U.S. and around the globe.
Hedges, a senior fellow at the Nation Institute, columnist for the progressive website Truthdig, and former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times, spoke at the Library in March 2011 about his book Death of the Liberal Class.
(Kansas City, Missouri) - Revolutions historically have come in waves, and the world appears to be riding one now - from the Arab Spring to anti-austerity protests in Greece to the more recent Occupy movement.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges examines the spike and its roots in a discussion of his new book Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Hedges, a senior fellow at the Nation Institute, columnist for the progressive website Truthdig, and former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times, digs into the social and psychological factors that foster rebellion. And he makes the case that environmental destruction and wealth polarization are planting the seeds of modern revolt in the U.S. and around the globe.
Focusing on examples from around the world and throughout history, Hedges tries to identify what it takes to be a rebel in modern times. Often, he says, there is a "sublime madness" that fuels a fight against overwhelmingly powerful and oppressive forces. Resistance is carried out not for its success but as a moral imperative that affirms life.
He spotlights South African activists who dedicated their lives to ending apartheid, contemporary anti-fracking protests in Canada, and whistleblowers seeking transparency.
Hedges spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans, working for The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, and National Public Radio in addition to The New York Times. He was part of the team of Times reporters awarded a Pulitzer in 2002 for the paper's coverage of global terrorism.
He has taught at Columbia University, New York University, and Princeton, and spoke at the Library in March 2011 about his book Death of the Liberal Class.
Admission to the event is free. RSVP at kclibrary.org or call 816.701.3407. Free parking is available in the Library District parking garage at 10th and Baltimore.