In this episode of Imagine What’s Next, Daniel Forrester is joined by Princeton scholar Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. One of the nation's most prominent scholars, Dr. Glaude is a passionate educator, author, political commentator, and public intellectual who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience. He is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, where he is also the Chair of the Center for African American Studies and the Chair of the Department of African American Studies. Together Eddie and Daniel consider the history and future of bringing into reality a long-term vision of American ideals. They discuss short-termism, long-term hope, the work that has already been done, and all that will yet be required of our young country to make America the place that our founding fathers envisioned it to be.

Key Takeaways:

[1:09] Eddie Glaude defines short-termism as it impacts policymaking in America today.

[4:55] Though imperfect, America’s founding documents did get these points right.

[7:20] Our work in realizing America’s ideals is far from done — what are the next steps?

[9:45] Imagining a sense of common good starts with identifying our obligations to one another.

[13:58] Reflections on the power of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

[18:45] Understanding James Baldwin’s view of the nature of the country.

[21:22] The long-term American ideal questions that 2024 presidential candidates need to be able to answer.

[24:01] Eddie’s hopeful views of where America is headed in spite of all that our history holds and the challenges we currently face.

Daniel Forrester

Podfly Productions

Continue the Journey:

Eddie Glaude

Daniel Forrester’s new edX Course — Generating Vision: Long-Term Big Ideas That Motivate Employees and Stakeholders

“When I imagine what’s next, I imagine a world where your skin color, who you love, your gender, your ability, where you live, your zip code, doesn’t matter in how you perceive your dreams and how we live together.”

“We’ve been living in a society that has been driven by a certain kind of consumerist ethic that has spilled over into our politics that has shadowed our conceptions of the good and our understanding of what it means to flourish.”

“Often we become complacent in the face of the giants who bequeathed to us extraordinary ideas. We think the work has already been done.”

“We have to reject the idea that we are all self-interested persons in competition and rivalry with one another.”

“The common good isn’t possible until we recognize some sense of commonality between us.”

“To be optimistic is naive, but to be hopeful is to fight for a future that you have yet to see.”