Speak Up, Speak Out forum celebrates 10th year with debate of U.S. political party systems

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The Speak Up, Speak Out series will discuss political parties Wednesday while having a party of its own.

The current events series will celebrate its 10th anniversary 7 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium during the forum, “Have Political Parties Become Toxic for America?”

There will be cake and prizes during intermission, said Cherie Strachan, a political science assistant professor and moderator for the forum.

Merlyn Mowrey, chairwoman of SUSO’s organizing committee and associate professor of philosophy and religion, said the series owes its success to the faculty members and students who have worked on the forums during the past decade.

“I didn’t think it would catch on this fast,” Mowrey said. “It’s really been gratifying to see.”

The upcoming forum will focus on the role of political parties in government, Strachan said. She said the panelists will also debate why parties have so much control in the political process.

Strachan said candidates who are either very liberal or very conservative have an advantage in primaries because they rile up voters. It is difficult for moderates, she said, to be represented on the ballot.

“The primary process rewards extremists,” Strachan said. “We wind up with candidates that don’t represent mainstream Americans.”

Panelists for the forum will include students and faculty.

Christina Wickham, a Mount Pleasant graduate student and panel member, said she believes the topic of political parties is relevant after the results of the 2010 midterm elections.

“It is so timely now, especially now that we have a divided government,” she said. “We have to find ways to reach across.”

Politics in the U.S. have become uncivil, Stachan said, and people refuse to make compromises and acknowledge other legitimate perspectives.

“At some point you have to have the ability to agree to disagree,” she said.

Strachan said the forum topic reflects SUSO’s mission to develop civil skills. She said the panelists are purposefully chosen to represent different viewpoints.

“We don’t always agree with each other, but we respect each other’s right to participate in the process,” she said.

In addition to the celebration, SUSO is holding a writing competition in honor of its 10th anniversary. Students are invited to write a 500-word essay on inclusive world views, critical thinking skills, civility or responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy.