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Reflections on Patriotism
April 18, 2024
Do you consider yourself a patriot? Though most Americans still identify as being patriotic, the question of patriotism has become increasingly polarizing among Americans. A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that 67% of U.S. adults report being extremely patriotic; however, registered Democrats are half as likely as registered Republicans to consider themselves extremely patriotic. The Common Ground Initiative welcomed Yale political science professor Steven B. Smith, syndicated columnist and author Cal Thomas, and historian and novelist Elizabeth Cobbs, to discuss the definition of patriotism, debate what actions should be considered patriotic vs. unpatriotic, and consider the role of the institutions they represent in fostering a sense of patriotism among American citizens.
We are excited to introduce a new mini podcast series: 'Reflections on Patriotism'. This series features five insightful conversations with diverse voices from the Grand Rapids community as they explore what patriotism means to them. From personal stories to shared values, these thought-provoking discussions challenge perspectives and inspire unity. Listen today to prepare for this event!
Event Media
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Speaker Bios
Cal Thomas
With a twice-weekly column appearing in hundreds of newspapers nationwide, Cal Thomas is the most widely read and one of the most highly regarded voices on the American political scene. He is a contributor to the Fox News Channel, hosts a daily radio program syndicated to more than 300 stations, and co-writes a twice-monthly column titled “Common Ground” for USA Today with his longtime liberal Democrat friend, Bob Beckel. In addition to his decade-long relationship with Fox News, Thomas has worked for NBC, CNBC, and PBS television.
Cal Thomas has authored eleven books including his most recent, What Works - Common Sense Solutions for a Stronger America, which focuses on what promotes the general wellbeing and prosperity, regardless of which party or ideology gets the credit, and provides an answer to the question of why we constantly fight the same battles over and over. Other best-selling books include Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War that is Destroying America, Blinded by Might: Can the Religious Right Save America?, A Freedom Dream, Public Persons and Private Lives, Book Burning, Liberals for Lunch, Occupied Territory, The Death of Ethics in America, Uncommon Sense and Things That Matter Most.
A graduate of American University, Thomas has appeared on NBC Nightly News, Nightline, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN’s Crossfire, Larry King Live and the Oprah Winfrey Show. In 1995, Thomas was honored with a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Interview Program. Other awards include a George Foster Peabody team reporting award, and awards from both the Associated Press and United Press International.
Elizabeth Cobbs
Elizabeth Cobbs is a historian, novelist, and documentary filmmaker. The author of nine books, she has won national prizes for fiction, non-fiction, and film. She has served on the jury for the Pulitzer Prize in History and the Historical Advisory Committee of the U.S. State Department, and written for the New York Times, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, Jerusalem Post, and Washington Post.
A Stanford Ph.D. in History, Cobbs is an Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University and Texas A&M. She has produced two documentaries for public television, one on the history of U.S. foreign policy and another on the history and future of work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In 2020, the U.S. Army Signal Corps Association named her Brevet Colonel for unearthing the story of the “Hello Girls,” America’s first women soldiers. In her youth, at 23, Cobbs won the Rockefeller Youth Award for “a significant contribution to the well-being of mankind.”
Steven B. Smith
Steven B. Smith received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He has taught at Yale since 1984 and is the Alfred Cowles Professor of Political Science. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in Political Science, Director of the Special Program in the Humanities, Acting Chair of Judaic Studies, and Master of Branford College. His research has focused on the history of political philosophy with special attention to the problem of the ancients and moderns, the relation of religion and politics, and theories of representative government.
He is also the Co-Director of Yale’s Center for the Study of Representative Institutions (YSCRI) that focuses on the theory and practice of representative government in the Anglo-American world.
He has received several academic awards and prizes including the Ralph Waldo Emerson Prize given by Phi Beta Kappa, but is most proud of receiving the Lex Hixon ‘63 Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences in 2009. He is a die-hard Yankees fan and hopes to be able to play for the team in the next life.