AMERICAN UPHEAVALS – FALL 2025 VIDEOS
Coordinators: Michael Wellner, Maureen Berman, Terri Hicks
American Upheavals examines social and income inequality, immigration, free speech, the “woke” culture, the media, international relations, and politics.
To view a video click on the link above its description.
AMERICAN UPHEAVALS
The Upcoming Mayoral Election
Presenter: Marian Friedmann, Ann O’Shea, Ilene Winkler, Howard Salik, Laura Lopez
Presentation Date: September 10, 2025
No matter what your political preferences may be, we are sure you’ll agree that this has to be one of the most interesting and important city elections in a long time. In this first class of the term, we’ll look at each of the candidates and leave time for what promises to be a lively discussion thereafter.
AMERICAN UPHEAVALS
The Effects of Cellphones On Our Nation’s Children
Presenter: Michael Wellner
Presentation Date: September 24, 2025
How many times, when riding the bus or subway, or eating in restaurants, do you notice how many people — of ALL ages — are staring at their phones? I have seen children well before they can walk, holding phones (or similar devices) in their carriages on the street. And families at dinner where no one is talking to each other because they are all staring at their phones. Think we’d all agree that this has to have an effect, particularly on young children. In this class we look in detail at Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, and explore in some detail the effects cellphones are having on the latest generations. It’s not a pretty picture.