Carondelet Center
1890 Randolph Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
Strong Towns President Chuck Marohn will participate in a panel at an event entitled Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse, immediately following a presentation by keynote speaker Tim Carney. This event is sponsored by the Minnesota Catholic Conference.
Tim Carney visited all corners of America, from the dim country bars of southwestern Pennsylvania to the bustling Mormon wards of Salt Lake City, and provides the most important data and research to explain why failing social connections are responsible for the great divide in America. Alienated America confirms the suspicion of some conservatives that job-training programs or other public policy solutions alone are not sufficient to fix these places, and it strengthens a liberal narrative that new Trump voters aren’t coming to his rallies for the corporate tax cuts and Obamacare repeal.
In some parts of the United States, life seems to be getting worse because citizens are facing their problems alone. These communities have seen declines in marriage, voting, church attendance, and volunteer work. Even when money comes back to town, happiness does not return if people there do not reengage. The educated and wealthy elites, on the other hand, tend to live in places where institutions are strong or have enough money to insulate themselves.
Come hear more about one of the most talked-about books of 2019, and what Carney proposes as remedies to our challenges. Plus, a distinguished panel of local respondents, including Chuck Marohn, offers their thoughts on alienation in America, the fracturing of public life, the challenges of building vibrant communities, and opportunities for faith communities in addressing some of these issues.
Walk-ins are welcome unless we have reached capacity. Registration will close at 4:00 PM on September 3rd; after this time please email Katie Wratkowski (kwratkowski@mncatholic.org) if you want to confirm available walk-in seating.
This event is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit the link below.
Top photo via Creative Commons.
