It has been said that the United States has never been more divided than it is today. The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has only served to exacerbate many of those differences, especially in urban areas versus more rural populations — which often face very different sets of problems. On this week’s LBJ In the Arena we will be joined by journalist James Fallows, whose recent book, Our Towns: A 100,000 Mile Journey into the Heart of America, takes a look at how America’s towns are crafting solutions to big challenges they face with a practical-minded determination at dramatic odds with the bitter paralysis of national politics. He’ll share with us what he learned about the state of our cities and country in researching this book and what’s needed to recover from the division and economic crisis we’re in.
The conversation will be moderated by LBJ Urban Lab director Steven Pedigo and is co-sponsored by the LBJ Urban Lab and the LBJ Washington Center. This event is a part of UT's Free Speech Week.