ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. (Oct. 15, 2008)—Who will be the dominate world power in 2050? T.R. Reid will give a surprising answer to this question and offer other fresh perspectives in a lecture on Monday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. The lecture, "Love Us or Hate Us: The World's View of the USA," will be held in Cole Cinema at the St. Mary's College of Maryland Campus Center and is free and open to the public. A reception will be held afterward in the Aldom Lounge of the Campus Center.
This is Reid's first of three scheduled public lectures at SMCM as the Paul H. Nitze Senior Fellow for 2008-2009. Reid has become one of the nation's best-known correspondents through his coverage of global affairs for The Washington Post, his books and documentaries, and his light-hearted commentaries on National Public Radio. To date he has authored eight books, including Confucius Lives Next Door (Random House, 2001) and The United States of Europe (Penguin, 2004). He is a correspondent for PBS Frontline, and he has also produced several documentary films for PBS and National Geographic.
This first lecture will focus on the apparent contradiction between America's low political and moral standing in the world and its unparalleled social and cultural influences on countries across the globe. "Around the world, admiration for the United States is at the lowest ebb in half a century. Yet people everywhere are still wearing Nikes, sipping Starbucks, and loading Lil' Wayne onto their iPods," said Michael Taber, professor of philosophy and director of the Nitze Scholars Program.
Over the course of his career, Reid has raised his family across three different continents, an experience which has given him some insight into America's image abroad.
"T.R. himself has not stayed in the U.S., and he will share with us some of his international experiences and perspectives on this upcoming election," Taber said. "Although this election is happening in America, the world is waiting and watching. From decisions about military intervention, to what comes out of our tailpipes, to the current credit crisis, what happens in the U.S. rarely stays in the U.S."
Each year, SMCM invites an accomplished writer, journalist, or other professional figure to be the Nitze Senior Fellow and to make several visits to the campus. Last year, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former lieutenant governor of Maryland, gave four public lectures, met with several classes, and participated in a seminar held on the St. Mary's River, with participants floating in close formation in kayaks.
Previously, David Sanger, New York Times chief correspondent for the White House, met with classes in political science, economics, and Nitze Program seminars, and had a discussion with the staff of the college's The Point News about careers in journalism. Author Edward P. Jones was also a previous Nitze Senior Fellow. He gave public readings from his Pulitzer prize-winning novel, The Known World, and joined a panel discussion about why writers write.