Politics – Page 8 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

A Texas Tradition: The Governor’s Inauguration

Gubernatorial Inaugurations are much more relaxed than Presidential Inaugurations. You can get closer to the action, there’s a smaller crowd, and the inauguration committee serves everyone lunch!

The Governor’s Inauguration is a prime opportunity for LEAP, because the Center also administers the Sam Houston Austin Internship Program. So, when the Governor is being inaugurated, we have interns in Austin, working at the Capitol Building–where the inauguration takes place.

The inauguration, then, is a good opportunity for me to check in on the interns, help other students experience the peaceful transfer of power that occurs in democracies, and to expose these new students to the possibility of doing an Austin Internship themselves at the next legislative session.

Even Peaceful Transfers of Power Need Security

During the ceremony, the students had a chance to see some Texas notables and their elected officials…

…while also capturing some great photographs…

…and enjoying the experience with other SHSU students and some alumni–one of whom was helping put the program on!

In this manner, the students were able to network, enjoy a new experience, capture some great photos, and elevate the profile of Sam Houston State University in Austin.

DC Institutions: A Capitol, A Court, and a Library

For three pre-law students who are considering legislative internships in Austin, and who (mostly) enjoy reading, you couldn’t ask for a better afternoon than seeing the US Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the US Capitol building. All three were amazing.

Supreme Court

Cinthia Villarreal

As we walked to the Supreme Court, we absolutely marveled at the building’s architecture, which was designed by Cass Gilbert. The building greeted us with a long hallway which had panels describing the judicial branch’s history and responsibilities.

This is a great introduction for anyone who is not familiar with the functionality of the Supreme Court, since it went into detail from the Court’s jurisdiction to landmark cases that we rely on to this day.

Personally, I was able to identify various cases I have read and briefed for my Constitutional Law course with Dr. Domino. This feeling of excitement overtook me as I was able to put my studies into practice and make connections from the textbooks to real life.

The end of the entry way included a statue of the Chief Justice John Marshall, the fourth and longest serving Chief Justice of the Unites States.

Chief Justice Marshall is known for his famous decisions that established not only key legal precedents, but also precedents for how the court would operate.

The main hall intersections with another hall that held some of the former Justices’ portraits. Including, of course, well-known Justices such as William Rehnquist, William Howard Taft (the only Justice to also be a President!), and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female to be a Justice.

At the other side of the hallway, we were greeted with the special exhibition: “The Rise of Women Attorneys and the Supreme Court.” For aspiring women attorneys like ourselves, it was truly significant to learn about the women that began this movement. Reading their stories helped us put into perspective achievements and the work they undertook to be taken seriously in the field of law. They are the reason we are able to even imagine being attorneys.

We were also able to witness the Court’s spiral staircase, which is an architectural marvel, a mysteriously self-supporting elliptical five-story staircase. Moreover, the staircase’s railing were adorned with a series of rich symbols highlighting the care that builders put into their work, the classical influences on our government, and the beauty of the building.

We exited the building with more knowledge and respect for the Judicial Branch, excitement for our future as women in law, and further admiration for the beauty of the American government.

Library of Congress

Olivia Discon

Walking through the grand halls of the Library of Congress is like stepping into a literary treasure trove. As the world’s largest library, it houses millions of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and recordings, making it a pilgrimage for scholars, researchers, and book lovers alike.

Entering the Thomas Jefferson Building, the primary building of the Library of Congress, felt like walking into a palace. The grandeur of the Great Hall, with its marble columns, ornate decorations, and stunning dome, left us completely in awe. Some of the world’s greatest minds are featured along the walls, such as Shakespeare, Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Homer, and Petrarch.

One of the most fantastic sights was the Gutenberg Bible, the first printed books in the world. To see this meticulously crafted book was a profound moment.

Jefferson’s initial donation to the Library of Congress included his personal collection of over 6,000 books, which he had spent years acquiring.

This collection covered a wide range of subjects, reflecting Jefferson’s diverse interests in philosophy, science, literature, and history. Among the books were rare and valuable editions, some of which were the only copies in North America at the time. Notable works included Shakespeare’s plays, Sophocles’ tragedies, Plato’s “The Republic,” and many other classical and contemporary works. I couldn’t help but comb through the titles and geek over Jefferson’s vast collection!

The Library of Congress is not just a repository of books, it is also a beautiful exhibit space. In fact, we were able to revisit some of our previously studied Dorothea Lange in one of their exhibits on photography.

it is also a place of artistic beauty. The stunning architecture, intricate mosaics, and colorful murals that adorn the walls and ceilings of the building are a testament to the contribution of art and culture to our society.

Visiting the Library of Congress is an experience like no other. It is a journey through time and space, a chance to immerse oneself in the richness of human creativity and ingenuity. This was, by far, my favorite experience of the trip thus far!

US Capitol

One of the benefits of visiting DC during Spring Break is that we don’t miss any classes. One of the drawbacks is that we are in DC at approximately the same time as 1,000,000 eighth graders. Despite this deterrent, we trudged to the US Capitol for a bit of much-needed lunch (the Cafe was much better than the one at the Holocaust Museum) and to do a short tour.

The tours are not extensive. It involves watching a well-done film that lasts about twenty minutes, followed by visits to Statuary Hall and the Rotunda. Both of these are magnificent, if crowded.

Statuary Hall has an eclectic display of statues. Each state is allowed to choose two statues to be in the Hall, and we such interesting figures as Amelia Earhart (KS), Senator Barry Goldwater (AZ), astronaut Jake Swigert (CO), Robert Fulton (PA), and, of course, Sam Houston!

At the risk of delaying the tour, we rushed to the statue and took our photo. The statue was designed by Elizabet Ney, and we’ve seen it before; it is also in the Texas Capitol.

We also had a chance to see the beautiful rotunda, which is highlighted by the “Apotheosis of Washington,” by Constantino Brumidi. It is 4,664 square feet, and it’s a good thing, because it has to be seen from about 180 feet away.

The mural took almost a year to complete, and it was completed when–like now–the nation needed a unifying figure: 1865, the end of the Civil War.

Concluding Thoughts

Our afternoon tour ended with the Capitol Building, and it is appropriate. Washington, DC is divided into quadrants, a feature of Pierre L’Enfant’s design. And in the middle of those quadrants is the people’s branch: the US Congress.

Today, with changed voting laws and immediate communications, we may take interaction with elected officials for granted. But when the government was established in 1789, US Representatives were the only federal officials elected directly by the people. Today, of course, this would also apply to the US Senate and, aside from pro forma technicalities, the President as well. So, it was an appropriate place for us to end our tour. But as aspiring attorneys and newly-formed fans of architecture, it is really tough to beat the awe-inspiring majesty of the Supreme Court and the beauty of the Library of Congress.

A Monumental Day in Washington, DC

Following an epic day in the National Gallery of Art, we wanted to also fit in a trip along the National Mall. Given the size of the Mall, we knew this would be a challenge. But we were motivated, and we were determined, so we looked back on the Capitol–the major site we could see looking East…

…and set out for the first stop on our Mall tour: The Washington Memorial.

Washington Memorial

Cinthia Villarreal

The Father of His Country, The American Cincinnatus, and the Sage of Mount Vernon. These are all nicknames that George Washington has been called throughout history. For millions of Americans, the prestige for Washington does not stop at his title as first president of the nation or as commander of the Continental Army. For millions of Americans, Washington represents freedom and courage, and he was a trailblazer. It was an honor to witness the monument built in remembrance of the man that founded the nation.

The Washington Monument towered over the busy city as we walked to it.

As we got closer to the memorial, our excitement grew and our ability to form sentences vanished.

From up close, the 555-foot marble obelisk is absolutely incredible and left all of us in awe.

The monument was built in two phases, starting in 1848, the use of different types of bricks is visible from afar.

Around the obelisk, dozens of American Flags decorate the exterior of the monument, flapping through with the wind’s breeze, reminding us of Washington’s central role in forming United states.

Vietnam Memorial

Olivia Discon

Making our way further down the Mall, we took a stroll through the Vietnam Memorial. The structure is not without controversy, especially at its inception. Like all commemorative art, there is incredible importance in doing the subject justice, and when it comes to the perils of war, honoring the lives of those who have fallen is a difficult task. To learn more about the origins of the Vietnam Memorial, I read “A Rift in the Earth” by James Restin Jr. prior to our trip. The title is extremely fitting, as both the appearance of the memorial and the Vietnam War caused a rift in many senses of the word.

Designed by Maya Lin, the striking memorial has numerous symbolic elements. The granite sculpture protrudes from the ground in the shape of a ‘V’, with the 58,000 names of the men and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War (in chronological order). The mirrored nature of the 200-foot-long memorial evoked a profound sense of loss in what felt like a never ending list of soldiers. This monument is paired with two other sculptures, “Three Servicemen” by Frederick Hart and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial by Glenna Goodacre.

Walking through the list of names, we saw a small crowd of people surrounding part of the display. As we approached the scene, we quickly realized that Maya Lin herself was at the memorial!

To hear from the artist regarding some of the triumphs and struggles she endured while working on this project was a surreal, completely unexpected moment.

We were extremely grateful for the rare opportunity to speak with the artist alongside her work. And also, to snap a quick photo with her!

The odds of such a meeting were astronomical, and the excitement of meeting Ms. Lin combined with the sobering substance of the Wall was overwhelming.

Lincoln Memorial

At the far west end of the National Mall–we had made it half way!–we met with what turned out to be one of our favorite monuments: the Lincoln Memorial.

Architect Henry Bacon designed the memorial, drawing inspiration from the Greek Parthenon. The giant temple form is adorned with 36 Corinthian columns–one for each state in the Union at the time of the Civil War.

Daniel Chester French designed the actual statue that looms so grandly in the Memorial’s interior. It is 19-feet tall, and it’s impossible to walk into the temple without feeling small in the face of the statue and all that Lincoln meant to American democracy.

The view from this Memorial is amazing…

…and, in fact, this was such a momentous experience for us, we returned to the Memorial after dark.

Korean War Memorial

Cinthia Villarreal

The Korean War took place from 1950 to 1953, where 36,574 Americans and more than 7,200 members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army gave their lives for democracy. In commemoration to the war, the Korean War Memorial displays 19 stainless-steel soldiers in the deadly grounds of the war. Next to them, the Wall of Remembrance shows the name of the thousands of servicemen and the portraits of those unidentified.

The memorial simulates the experience of the troop on the battle ground. Their facial expressions were masterfully done, reflecting a mix of worry with fear and the heavy-looking bags on their backs, and wearing ponchos which they used during the cold winter nights.

Additional to the Wall of Remembrance, there is another granite wall with the quote “Freedom is not free” and around it, the Pool of Remembrance provides a place of reflection.

Even though this was very different from the other monuments and memorials that we visited, this spoke volumes to me. The Korean War Memorial reminds the day-to-day citizen that the freedom we enjoy today is a privilege and did not come out of nowhere. Millions of people have volunteered and died for the rights that we have today and it should not be taken for granted.

MLK Memorial

Michelle Cardenas

Washington DC is known for all of its memorials and dedications to different significant American events and leaders. Amongst these is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Memorial, a timeless tribute to the iconic civil rights leader. The granite monument was unveiled on August 28, 2011, and was designed by Lei Yixin. The memorial features a couple of Dr. King’s famous quotes, but the most spectacular part of the memorial is the great carving of Dr.King on what artist Yixin calls the “Stone of Hope”.

When we saw the great statue we stood there in awe due to its grandeur. The statue is carved onto the “stone of hope” which is rising from the “mountain of despair” symbolizing the triumph over adversity and relentless pursuit of justice. We walked around and read all the quotes that were on the crescent-shaped granite walls behind the statue, drawing inspiration from his words as well as from his legacy.

FDR Memorial

Olivia Discon

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), the 32nd President of the United States, has a longstanding legacy of service and heart for the American people. Having served 4 terms, during World War II and The Great Depression, FDR’s initiatives were instrumental in navigating America through some of its darkest days. The memorial features a series of outdoor spaces, each representing one of his four terms in office and the trials he and the country faced during his tenure.

One of the prominent sculptures is a statue of Roosevelt seated in a wheelchair, while wearing a robe, which largely obscured his wheelchair. At the time of FDR’s Presidency, disabilities were not widely accepted, and he took pains to hide the extent of his disability from the public.

FDR’s Memorial is laid out as more of a linear park, allowing visitors to explore different aspects of his presidency. We learned about World War II, the rise of media–especially radio (and his fireside chats)–and, of course, the Great Depression.

In fact, one of our favorite sculptures on the Mall was of the soup lines during the Depression. Forged by George Segal, these sculptures looked right in place alongside similar media used throughout the memorial…

…while also evoking many of the images we had seen by Dorothea Lange earlier in the day in the National Gallery of Art.

Jefferson Memorial

We found the location of the FDR Memorial, which was located along the Tidal Basin, allowed for great views of the Mall.

We could see the Washington Monument as well as the Jefferson Monument.

Eventually, we decided to make our way to see the Jefferson Memorial, which we hoped would begin to shine some light on a man whose life we would come to know over the course of the trip.

Designed by John Russell Pope (who also designed the National Archives and Constitution Hall), the Monument was completed in 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday. With grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr a large statue designed by Rudolph Evans (completed four years later, owing to material shortages during WWII)…

…and a front pediment featuring the Declaration of Independence designed by Adolph Wienman, there is much to admire in this neoclassical marvel.

We would learn much more of Jefferson later in the trip, as we visited the Library of Congress, Monticello, and the University of Virginia, but this was a wonderful introduction to Jefferson–and to the National Mall.

Concluding Thoughts

There are few sites as majestic as the National Mall, even in a City that is full of marvelous sites.

We differed in which monument we liked most, but we all agreed that the National Mall was one of our favorite sites among all trips we had taken, and it whet our appetite for days full of additional site-seeing.

Exploring the Nation’s Capital: A Day in DC

It was, for all of us (students), our first time in Washington, DC. So, despite the rain, wind, and cold, it was an exciting morning, promising adventure and wonder.

That sense was deepened on our very first stop of the morning: the White House. We did not know it, but our brief stop on Saturday morning was a foreshadowing of things to come!

And as we made our way to the Holocaust Museum, which would be our first official stop of the morning, we also passed the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where we saw one of our favorites: Luis Jimenez!

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

by Michelle Cardenas

As we continued our journey through Washington DC, we made a stop at one of the most significant historical institutions, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Of all of the historic landmarks, the Holocaust Museum stands as a testament to the resilience of humanity and a reminder of some of the darkest chapters of human history.

As soon as you step foot in the museum the solemn atmosphere instantly engulfs you. The building itself is designed to make you feel like you’re a part of the industrial 1930s, everything from the elevators to the layout of the museum transports you to the times of World War 2 and Nazi Germany.

The museum is displayed in chronological order, effectively tying in personal stories of survivors, artifacts, and video presentations. The different kinds of media provided a new, deeply moving understanding of the Holocaust. The museum began with information about Adolf Hitler and the formation of his ideology and vendetta against Jews…

…moving swiftly into the discrimination Jews faced during 1933 due to their patriotism. Jews were being singled out since the beginning of the German regime and by 1939 most of them had already been prosecuted and taken to concentration camps where they would be either killed or worked to death.

There were many interesting and sobering artifacts on display at the museum. One that particularly caught my attention was the train cart where Jews were stuffed in and transported to concentration camps and gas chambers. It is one thing to read about these atrocious events but it’s completely different to see the items in real life and grasp the full concept of how awful this genocide was.

As we made our way through the museum we found something new that we had never really heard of. The Night of Glass was repeated throughout the museum and it referred to the day that Nazis burned down and destroyed all of the Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues that remained. On a display, they had rolls and half-burned remainders of the Torah that had survived the Night of Glass. Along with this was a door frame that belonged to a Jewish synagogue; the frame was cut up and the Nazis made sure to carve out any writing that was on them. This was incredibly interesting and peculiar to see because you could sense the feeling of hatred the Nazis had towards these people, that they went to the extent of destroying something so holy and pure to them.

The museum concluded with America’s response to the genocide and killings of all the Jews. In this part, there were many exhibits of all of the findings and evidence that these concentration camps were indeed real. There were piles of hair, dentures, jewelry, and other personal belongings that were stripped away from Jews.

Interestingly, art by Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra, Joel Shapiro, and Sol LeWitt is incorporated into the museum, adding to the sense of the sublime, while also suggesting a sense of hope. And this was made more vivid by the fact that the Jewish prisoners also sensed this, often creating art in the form of paintings, sketches, literature, or poetry as a way to alleviate or express the horrors of their experiences.

One of the more interesting finds for us was the photography of Roman Vishniac, who captured many scenes of Jewish culture from before the Holocaust. Because photography is a theme of sorts of this trip, this was particularly captivating for us.

It was very sad to see how much the Jewish community lost and the pain they suffered through. But this also underscored the importance of museums such as these, highlighting past atrocities and, we hope, making them less likely in the future.

Indeed, Dwight Eisenhower–whose forces liberated Europe–seemed to suggest this when he ordered his troops to film the horrors of the concentration camps, so that the tragedy would be preserved in history.

Union Station

by Cinthia Villarreal

After walking through Washington D.C.’s beautiful streets and admiring its impressive collection of art, we headed into Union Station D.C. Before going inside the building, we were able to marvel at the striking architectural design of the building. The towering columns and the Roman-inspired arches gave the station an intimidating yet alluring character. Nonetheless, when we walked inside the building, we became completely speechless.

Washington’s Union Station, which was opened in 1907, is a restored train station and shopping center and during its most thriving moments, it would transport up to 42,000 passengers daily. Even though it deteriorated over time because of high usage and low budget, the awe-striking creation by the architect Daniel Burnham was designated an historical landmark in 1969. Several rehabilitation programs throughout the years have worked on the station in order to keep attracting both alike tourists and locals.

The ceiling, which is what captured most of our attention, has been recently renewed and beautified. The contrast of the white and the 23-karat gold leaf of the design is extremely intricate. From the second floor, life-size statues overlooked the lobby we were standing in and the windows throughout the building truly amplified the space, even though not necessary.

After walking around the station and seeing the variety of stores they had, we settled down to have a great dinner to finish our eventful first night at the national capital.

LEAP Marks its Culinary Passport with Argentina!

by Olivia Discon

In our efforts to become more culturally aware, we participated in the World Affairs Council’s “Culinary Passport” series, hosted by the Global Young Professionals program. This was a first for most of us in attendance, but if there is one thing we love doing, it is trying new things! Argentinian food was on the menu for the evening, which was held at Morfi Argentino in Houston. The restaurant felt larger than life, not by the size of the space, but by its vibrancy.

Upon entry, we were met with music, lively conversation, and best of all, the familiar faces of the WAC staff.

It was an honor to hear from the distinguished guest speaker of the evening, Andino Reynal. Reynal has had an extensive career, ranging from working as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Texas and the United States Attorney’s Office. With many of us in our group being aspiring attorneys, we were eager to pick his brain and hear more about his experience.

Another interesting aspect of Andino’s career is that immediately out of law school, he worked for Baker Botts, LLP, the law office of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker. James Baker worked under six United States Presidents and is currently a senior partner at the law firm.

We were also joined by Houston’s Consul General of Argentina María Cristina Tosonotti, who was eager to share with us all of the reasons why Argentina is a nation of opportunity. With a vast oil supply, a dynamic economy, and strong heritage, we were reminded of Argentina’s bright future and encouraged to make visits on our own someday.

We started with two empanadas of our choice, all of which were much loved by the group. As for our dishes, we each tried to order different things to get a good sampling of the menu. We tried Chicken and Beef Milanese, Chicken Polermo, and Milanesa Fugaza, all of which were absolutely delicious!

While we enjoyed our food, we were able to speak with Consul María and Andino Reynal about what they are doing in their current careers and their perspective on many of the key issues going on in the world today. This was an excellent way to discuss world affairs with two experts within their respective positions, making for a great learning opportunity.

In all, we had a fantastic time at this WAC event! The intimate setting allowed for a personalized educational experience with such distinguished individuals while also enjoying an aspect of Argentinian culture.

Reagan Dinner 2024

Morgan Robertson

In what amounts to a Republican “President’s Day” event, many GOP counties host a “Reagan” (or Lincoln) Dinner in February. This year, some (Republican) LEAP Students volunteered to help, so Jessica Cuevas, Chrissy Biello, Ashlyn Parker, and I found ourselves assisting and enjoying the Walker County Reagan Dinner.

We received our direction from Linda McKenzie, Walker County Chair, and coordinated with other volunteers as guests began arriving. Chrissy and Ashlyn were the first to welcome people in and direct them to their tables or to the enticing array of baked goods.

Each year the Walker County Republican Women host a dessert silent auction to raise money for the organization, and supply guests with delicious desserts. This year, over 45 desserts were donated.

Jessica enjoyed perusing the donated desserts and snapping photos of some serious bidding deliberation.

Mrs. McKenzie began the evening by thanking everyone in attendance, thanking us for our assistance, and recognizing each elected official and candidate. Constable Gene Bartee gave the invocation and County Clerk Kari French led the Pledges.

This year, we were honored to dine with 10th Court of Appeals Justice, Matt Johnson and his wife Melissa and 12th Judicial District Court Judge David Moorman and his wife Christie. Our conversation varied between the upcoming 10th Court of Appeals Hearings at SHSU on April 3 and our favorite musicals– Melissa Johnson, it turns out, is a Professor of Musical Theatre Voice at Baylor University.

In anticipation of the second part of our volunteer duties, Mrs. McKenzie sent our tables to eat first, so we may deliver the desserts to the highest bidders. Dinner was catered by Humphrey’s American Grill and everyone was beyond pleased with the meal.

County Judge Colt Christian, and Congressmen Morgan Luttrell and Pete Sessions addressed the crowd briefly and thanked both the County Party and Republican Women for hosting such an event.

The keynote speaker this year was Dr. Robin L. Armstrong, MD and Galveston County Commissioner. Dr. Armstrong spoke on his experience as a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic when a majority of is patients were in nursing homes. He spoke of some of the struggles he faced during the unprecedented times and how he overcame many of the challenges.

Dr. Armstrong concluded his speech by encouraging the crowd to continue to stay active and make sure to vote. Speaking of, early voting began on Tuesday, 2/20!

It wouldn’t have been a Walker County Reagan Dinner without a coordinated photo with the present elected officials and one with the candidates…

We were able to thank Dr. Armstrong for his time and even snap a selfie with him and some of our friends.

PLS Meeting: Spring 2024 Kickoff

Pre-Law Society

McKenna Nonnenmann

Although the PLS has been involved in several informal events this spring, our first official meeting was February 21. And what a meeting! We had the honor of hosting two past Pre-Law Society presidents: Victoria McClendon, a first-year attorney; and Quinn Kobrin. a third-year law student at the University of New Hampshire. We also had the pleasure of having Blake Roach, an Associate Legislature Director at the Texas Farm Bureau, back on campus.

Our meeting started off well, as we learned that we had 96 members, our highest-ever membership total!

The meeting continued on this note, as McClendon and Kobrin offered great advice on what law school is like. “It hits everyone like a brick wall,” noted Kobrin. Noting that undergraduate classes at SHSU are nothing like law school, McClendon and Kobrin suggested going out of our way to take challenging courses that teach us to think critically, read a lot, and to write.

Blake Roach also offered much-valued advice. He described his time as an advance-man for Greg Abbott, teaching him skills in preparation, event planning, research, flexibility, and networking.

All members of the panel encouraged students to push themselves, to get out of their comfort zones so that they can navigate more comfortably in the professional world. Going to professional events, taking on internships, working professional jobs, surrounding yourself with other professional students all work to make you more successful in the long run.

The meeting ended on a high note. After several years of fundraising–including work done by our past Presidents (including, of course, Victoria McClendon and Quinn Kobrin), we were able to donate $25,000 to SHSU to endow a scholarship. We closed the meeting with a “check presentation.”

Thanks to all our great panelists, and to all those who joined (or rejoined) PLS this semester. For future events or information, visit our Instagram @prelawshsu or email President Olivia Discon: ojd004@shsu.edu.

Our next meeting is March 20 at 6pm!

As a special note, we’d also like to thank all of our PLS Presidents who have helped us achieve this endowment: Megan Chapa (our first PLS President), Kaitlyn Tyra, Victoria McClendon, Quinn Kobrin, Heather Noman, Yvette Mendoza, Jade Miller, and Olivia Discon.

Seeing Eye-to-Eye with David Brooks

by Cinthia Villarreal

After an insightful day with Megan Henson from the University of Tulsa College of Law, Michelle Cardenas, Christina Biello, Olivia Discon, and I headed to Houston to attend a World Affairs Council event with renowned author David Brooks, the writer of How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.

As we walked into the glamorous Royal Sonesta Hotel, we had the honor of meeting with former LEAP Ambassadors Quinn Korbin, Victoria McClendon, and Megan O’Flaherty.

Following an introduction by Executive Director Maryanne Maldonado…

…the program was officially kicked off by moderator Ronan O’Malley, Chief Program Officer at WAC.

When asked about his intentions behind writing this book, Brooks mentioned this was his attempt to teach people basic social skills. With measures of societal and individual connectedness at a low, with suicides high and climbing, and with disagreements seemingly both common and insurmountable, Brooks stressed the need for skills that will help people have meaningful, empathetic conversations with others.

One aspect of this, according to Brooks, is that there is no emphasis put on moral or character development. And while Brooks noted that he didn’t want to go back to the 1950s and “sometimes corny” way this was approached then, he does think there is a role for that in today’s society. Moreover, he notes that his own students describe themselves–in my new favorite phrase–as “morally inarticulate”.

As he notes in his book, he describes two types of people in society, which he calls illuminators, who make you feel heard and ask you questions because they are genuinely interested in your story; and diminishers, who usually stereotype people they talk to and are not interested in knowing other’s stories.

Brooks went on to describe how the same experience can affect each person differently since the act of seeing is not passive but an active, subjective construction of reality. Using another phrase that will stay with us, Brooks described “experience” not as “what happens to you but what you do with it.”

Throughout the event, Brooks proved his remarkable skills at managing the crowd. He truly captivated all of us by his amazing way of narrating and communicating his knowledge. He would have the whole room laughing one minute and tearing up the next.

A question from the audience urged Brooks to talk about what to say to someone living with depression. People usually make mistakes like telling the person what to do to “lift” the depression or reminding them of the good things they do have; however, this will only make them feel worse. Instead, he suggests approaching the person with a genuine heart by acknowledging the situation and asking about what they are feeling.

After the thought-provoking talk, we had the opportunity to meet Brooks and get our books signed and personalized.

We would like to thank the World Affairs Council for hosting yet another incredible event, the staff for their hard work, and David Brooks for such an inspirational talk.

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