This lecture will be live streamed

We are in a historical moment when longstanding social problems have taken on new urgency. The Black Lives movement and the Me Too movement emerged out of decade-long frustrations with the persistence of deep racial and gender inequalities. How do we understand the political possibilities for overcoming durable forms of social inequalities? The talk draws on core ideas from sociology to consider the political power of optimism and voice in driving social reform efforts.

Presenter Sandra R. Levitsky is an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and
Associate Professor of Sociology. She holds a Ph.D.in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from the University of
Minnesota. Her research focuses on American social policy, political mobilization, and relationship between law and social change. Her book, Caring for our Own: Why There is No Political Demand for New
American Social Welfare Rights, examines the politics of long- term care. Her current research examines the changing legal environment around Title IX and campus sexual assault.

This is the seventh of ten lectures to be presented once each month from September 2020 through June,2021. The next lecture will be held April 13, 2021. The title is: What the First Amendment Really Means. Learn from well-known experts about an array of interesting subjects, with an interactive Q&A period following each lecture.

Preregistration is required via the OLLI website or phone. A link to access the lecture will be e-mailed to you a few days prior to the first session.