University News

WIU to Host Stage Performance and Presentation Change Our Language, Change Our Politics

January 9, 2025

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Ted Williams III presents the free program as part of the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau

MACOMB, IL— This January, the WIU Justice, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Office (JIDE) will host an entertaining and informative stage performance that illustrates how to build and avoid burning bridges when discussing sensitive topics such as politics, race, religion and other divisive topics.

"Individuals tend to be divided and to not talk with individuals with different views or opinions. As an institution of higher learning the ability to work with people from all backgrounds and beliefs is something that we want to continue to develop, encourage and support on campus and in the community. This live stage performance tackles a difficult subject through humor and respect and is sure to connect with individuals from all backgrounds and leave us with tips on how we can do better," Carl Ervin, WIU JIDE director said.

The presentation, "Change Our Language, Change Our Politics," will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the WIU Sandburg Theatre located in the University Union.
Ted Williams III, through a live stage performance and a discussion, will show how language plays a significant role in fueling division and how simple changes in the way we speak will have a significant impact on our ability to communicate across differences. As a former candidate for public office and someone who has spent a career having difficult conversations around the topics of religion and politics, Ted Williams III has had a plethora of experiences navigating these dangerous waters. He will show how through changing the terminology that we use in our civil discourse, we can turn down the volume in our conversations and may realize the commonality of our aspirations and that a commitment to respectful pluralism provides us all with a space to co-exist. The event is free and open to the public and great for audiences of all ages.

This event is part of WIU's participation in the National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) which takes place on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The NDORH is meant to raise awareness of the need for societal healing through activities that happen in homes, schools, businesses and communities across the country with the goal of creating a more just and equitable future for our children. Mr. Williams' presentation is a key part of this year's celebration and is co-presented by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau. Road Scholar speakers travel throughout Illinois sharing free, dynamic presentations about literature, philosophy, theater, local history, film, music, politics, and more, at no cost to host organizations. The program enables local nonprofit organizations to present free-admission cultural programs to their communities.

Ted Williams III is an actor and author who is a Political Science faculty member at Kennedy-King College and a graduate of the University of Chicago and Rutgers University. He is the former host of WYCC-PBS television's The Professors weekly talk show and has provided political commentary for a host of local and national media outlets. Additionally, he is the author of the production "TORN the Musical," and of the book "The Way Out: Christianity, Politics, and the Future of the African American Community." Williams is a former candidate for the Chicago City Council and the creator of the production 1619: The Journey of a People. 1619 was nominated for the 2020 August Wilson Award for Best Writing of a Musical by the Black Theater Alliance Awards.

For more information, please visit wiu.edu/jide/ or contact Carl Ervin, at cw-ervin@wiu.edu, (309) 298-5179.

The Western Illinois University JIDE office's vision is to shape and implement appropriate strategies, policies, and procedures for creating a campus where individuals are permitted and encouraged to live up to their potential.

Illinois Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that spark conversation, foster reflection, build community, and strengthen civic engagement for everyone in Illinois. Founded in 1974, we are the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities and supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with Illinois Humanities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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