What does it mean to be an American? That question has been debated and contested throughout U.S. history – and that debate is front and center again, particularly in the context of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and a recent speech by Vice President J.D. Vance at the Claremont Institute.
Aaron welcomes two guests whose work addresses the question of American identity. Penn historian/political scientist Rogers Smith is the author of “Civic Ideals,” a seminal 1998 work that identifies “multiple traditions” of American identity throughout U.S. history, and UNC historian Lloyd Kramer is the author of the “Past Rhymes With Present Times” column on Chapelboro.com; his latest piece explores the competing traditions of “civic nationalism” and “ethnic nationalism” in America.
97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.
Listen:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
