Set forth more than 100 years ago and considered radical in that era, John Dewey’s philosophy still resonates across the Sarah Lawrence community. His insights and vision continue to guide us as we face perplexing and often troubling times. With Dewey’s renowned book Democracy and Education close at hand, we look to a few of the myriad points of interplay between the two forces—points of cohesion as well as points of friction. We begin with the tale of senior Moises Serrano, whose life has served as something of a test of the Dewey ideal.
The Dreamer
Moises Serrano ’18, subject of the documentary Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America, steps up and speaks out for young people across the country.
Resisting the Path of Least Resistance
Philosopher Elizabeth Kamarck Minnich ’65 talks with David Hollander MFA ’97 (writing) about the dangers of complacency—and the life-and-death importance of reflexive, reflective thinking in polarizing times.
Teachable Moments
At NBC Learn, producer Stephen Anderson ’96 leverages his insatiable curiosity to engage middle and high school students through educational video segments ranging from the science of sports to the history of the civil rights movement.
A Match Made in Ancient Greece
Classics faculty member Emily Katz Anhalt reflects on the origins of democracy and education’s vital role in protecting civil society from violence and tyranny.
Public, Partisan, and Passionate
Curator of political history at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Jon Grinspan ’06 turns to the 19th century for important lessons about the dynamics of our democratic process today.
Braving the Great Divide
Always a societal stress point, policing in America has developed into a deep fracture. Three Sarah Lawrence alumni approach this crevasse from widely divergent experiences and viewpoints.