Mission Statement
Civil Counterpoints: A Campus Conversation Series aims to stimulate thoughtful and respectful dialogue on volatile contemporary issues among members of the Texas Tech community. The series offers the university community opportunities to hear experts in the field tackle difficult topics through the engaged dialogues we encourage in the classroom, the lab, our hallways, and other forums. The series strives to highlight the diversity of research, creative endeavors and critical analysis on campus, and to demonstrate the possibilities for meaningfulcollaboration across disciplines, perspectives, and expertise in a respectful environment. Among the hallmarks of a vibrant and engaged university is the safeguarding of academic freedom, a principle that protects our ability to explore, discuss, investigate, and challenge oneanother's ideas intellectually and courteously.
Civil Counterpoints
Laughing 'Til It Hurts:
Comedy's Serious Roles in Public Life
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Monday, March 9, 2020
Student Union Building Red Raider Ballroom
Invited Guests:
- Regie Cabico, Poet and Spoken Word Artist
- Justin Duncan, Executive Director, Lubbock Moonlight Musicals
- Julie Willett, Assoc. Professor of History, TTU
- Kimothy Williams, Lubbock Comedian and Musician
In these polarized times, an occasional laugh can go a long way. Comics, authors, playwrights and poets have all talked about the necessity of laughing, even if we feel like crying. George Carlin once described laughing as the moment where defenses come down and the real self emerges, at least for a moment. With the rise of stand-up comedy as a major form of spoken word and televised entertainment now moving into the space of social and political commentary, comedy has gained new standing in society as an avenue of civic engagement for a growing number of audiences. Increasing numbers of Americans are seeking comedic relief to balance their daily diet of news, keep current with popular culture and blow off steam. They satisfy this hunger by turning to various options, including the satirical bite of animated television series, stand-up artists, research-intensive comedy shows, late-night hosts and the abundant social media. What are the benefits, potential drawbacks and long-term implications of this development? This Civil Counterpoints discussion features a diversity of expert guests with backgrounds in history, theater, performance art, and stand-up comedy who share their unique perspectives on comedy's ascendant moment. Together, they punctuate the notion that even in these tough times, we can laugh at ourselves.
The Office of the President, the Honors College, the LGBTQIA+ Center, and Student Union & Activities provided support for this program.
Free and open to the public. A reception with the invited guests follows the discussion.
Civil Counterpoints: A Campus Conversation Series aims to stimulate thoughtful and respectful dialogue on volatile contemporary issues among members of the Texas Tech community.
Please contact kent.wilkinson@ttu.edu for more information.
Guests for the March 9th Session
Prior Discussions
President Schovanec's Civil Counterpoints Greeting (Video)March 19, 2019 – “Perspectives on Pot: Marijuana in U.S. Society”Oct. 1, 2018 – “Global (dis)Order? The U.S. Role in International Affairs”Apr. 4, 2018 – “Title IX and Inclusion”Feb. 6, 2018 – “A Matter of Facts: Press Freedom and Public Access to Information”Nov. 15, 2017 - “Waking from the American DREAM: Immigration and DACA”Oct. 3, 2017 - "Cooling Down the Heated Debates: Understanding Approaches to Climate Change"May 1, 2017 - “Speaking Freely: The Need for Opinion Diversity”
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