The inaugural "Inside the Activist's Study" event taking place today at 6 p.m. in Barnum Hall will bring Amy Goodman, host of television show "Democracy Now!" and her brother, David, an investigative journalist, to Tufts to discuss the relation between media and social change.
The event is the launch of a series that seeks to highlight and interview distinguished activists in the area of social change. It is co-sponsored by the Peace and Justice Studies (PJS) and the Communication and Media Studies (CMS) Programs.
The series is based on the television show "Inside the Actor's Studio," which features in-depth interviews with accomplished artists to uncover the secrets of their craft, according to Dale Bryan, assistant director of the PJS Program.
"Immediately the format of ‘Inside the Actor's Studio' came into my mind — that would be an interesting way to have students learn how key leaders go about their work," Bryan said. "It occurred to me that that kind of format would be an excellent way to have students reflect on the craft of writing and the craft of strategic thinking."
Amy Goodman and brother David Goodman, who both have extensive backgrounds in independent, investigative journalism and advocacy of social issues, will serve as the interviewers for today's event and those held in the future.
The Goodmans were chosen to headline the program because of their strong commitment to social issues, according to Julie Dobrow, the CMS program director.
"Their careers have really been exemplary in using media to promote social issues," she said. "Amy is the host of ‘Democracy Now!' and her brother David is an investigative journalist. The two of them have collaborated on a number of pieces."
"Democracy Now!" is a national, independent news program that seeks to provide audiences with viewpoints that are not commonly heard.
Bryan explained that the Goodmans tonight will interview each other concerning their respective work.
"Let's say that David is interviewed as the key guest; then the audience will be following the dialogue between the two of them, and there will be questions asked of them from the audience," he said.
The primary focus of the event will be on their careers and the various trials and triumphs they've faced while developing those careers.
"I'm hoping that they will talk about some of the stories they're most proud of, some of the work that's gotten them in hot water, and finally I'm hoping that they will talk about the journalistic ethics that come up," Dobrow said.
Senior Sarah Ullman, who helped to organize the program as a part of both her Tisch Scholars project and CMS senior capstone project, said that she believes the event will illuminate the many uses of media for the purposes of effecting change.
"I think that this will be a nice exposure into to how journalism is used to inform the public, and for the public good," she said.
Ullman explained that her involvement in this project evolved naturally from her academic work.
"I'm really interested in how media is used for social change, and I've been studying that all throughout school, so this was just sort of the latest extension of my interest," she said.
Bryan noted that the series as a whole is not intended to address any specific social issue, but rather the process of enacting change.
"[The series will instead concentrate on] the roles and steps a person undertakes to get it done, especially in collective action with others," he said.
Dobrow likewise believes the lessons students will take away from the presentation transcend any specific area of interest that they might have.
"Regardless of what students want to pursue professionally, they will hear some things what will resonate with them about what does it mean to try to advocate for something that you believe in, and what sort of skills ... you have to have."
The second event in the series, which is scheduled for April 5, will feature environmentalist Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, an international climate campaign.
According to Bryan, the purpose of bringing in a noted environmentalist such as McKibben is not necessarily to talk specifically about climate change but to show what taking a leadership role on social change issues looks like.
Bryan hopes that the program will demonstrate to students what it means to be an active citizen in the real world.
"We're really hoping to help students understand that if you want to effect positive social change through public interest work … then it's a craft to be learned on how to do this strategically, theoretically and practically," he said.
