Mississippi Turning
Free Speech, Productive Disagreement, and the Confederate Flag Debate
Featuring
Director, Sphere Education Initiatives
Founder, Moral Courage College
Activist; Founder, People Not Things
Founder, Magnolia Tribune
In January 2021, Mississippi replaced its state flag, the culmination of a process that saw years of debate, protest, and fervid disagreement. Join us on May 16 for an event cohosted by the Cato Institute, Sphere Education Initiatives, and the Moral Courage Project. We’ll explore the political and social environment surrounding the flag debate and examine the skills of productive disagreement through the story of Genesis and Louis, two young people who came together to understand and learn from each other in these polarizing times.
The event will be held in person at the Cato Institute and streamed live online, and will feature:
- a screening of the 30‐minute documentary Mississippi Turning, which will be released publicly later this year; and
- conversations with the film’s star, the film’s executive producer, and a leading figure in Mississippi politics.
Reception to follow.
Opening Remarks
Allan Carey, Director, Sphere Education Initiatives
Irshad Manji, Founder, Moral Courage College
Screening of Mississippi Turning
Fireside Conversation
Genesis Be, Activist; Founder, People Not Things
Russ Latino, Founder, Magnolia Tribune
Irshad Manji, Founder, Moral Courage College
- Moderated by Allan Carey, Director, Sphere Education Initiatives
Question and Answer
Closing Remarks
Reception
Featured Film
Mississippi Turning
Genesis and Louis grew up in Mississippi. Despite attending the same grade school, they didn’t know each other as adults. All they knew is that they disagreed about keeping the Confederate battle emblem in the state flag. After mounting a passionate protest against it, Genesis tried something new: to understand Louis’s point of view. That’s when things got interesting …
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