High Stakes Culture explores the ongoing “culture wars'' and recent cultural flashpoints igniting across the country. Activists from all points of the political spectrum are turning to beloved cultural objects to stake a claim for their differing beliefs. The foundations of public education are being questioned as books are banned and Critical Race Theory is challenged. States are passing laws that attempt to ban or criminalize medical treatment for trans teens and children. And a landmark abortion ruling has spurred national conversations about reproductive justice.

What is at stake in the ways we understand culture and cultural conflict? The High Stakes Culture series brings U-M scholars and students together to bring humanities perspectives to bear on compelling issues in the culture now. Join us as we ask: How and why does culture matter so much?

Today, “High Stakes Culture: How Do We Understand Abortion, Control, and Reproductive Justice?” with scholars Lisa Harris (Obstetrics and Gynecology and American studies Phd), Ava Purkiss (women's and gender studies and American culture), Ruby Tapia (women's and gender studies) and SaraEllen Strongman (Afroamerican and African studies) with moderator Angela Dillard (Afroamerican and African studies, Residential College, history) will engage students in a conversation about choice and power and justice.

We will ask questions like:

How do we understand the new landscape of reproductive rights?
What histories of reproductive rights are useful to know?
What cultural logics are driving changes now?