On Demand Videos

Eric Schildge and Michael Lawrence-Riddell present Power and Politics: Election 2020

“I begin the first episode by explaining that while the election may be in the past, the issues we confronted are very much still with us. I think a lot of people hoped that the election would put to rest a lot of the most vexing questions our nation faces. Questions that are incredibly complex and intertwined, such as the health of our democracy, the impact of immigration, issues of race, gender, and class, and the role that power and violence play in our political system.”

“The concept that these issues, and the identities of those of us that are wrestling with and impacted by them every day, are intersectional really takes center stage in these videos. Because we are all, to differing degrees, impacted by the outcome of these elections, we also take the time to explain some techniques teachers can be using in their classroom to bring down the temperature and foster constructive and engaging conversations between their students.”

“Lastly, we make a point to situate these issues in their historical contexts. This is why some teachers and community members may find the videos useful. Even if the content was created in the fall of 2020, the history is as instructive in 2022 as it was then.”

“Please note that Michael and I definitely have our own points of view on the issues our country faces. We've done our best to present an honest account of the relevant history and share ways that students and teachers of all beliefs and backgrounds can engage one another in constructive and informative conversations that, as I say at the end of the introduction, can help to move our communities forward.”
-Eric Schildge