Booktober: Are Race and Religion on the 2024 Ballot?

 Join Keith Magee and Andrew Davies, Professor of Public Religion at University of Birmingham, to discuss the 2024 US elections and the impact of race and religion on our politics.

On the campaign trail, race and religion are once more being weaponised before our eyes for electoral gain. Trump is seeking to win over the very Black and Brown voters for whom his MAGA movement has shown nothing but contempt through its peddling of racist tropes and demonising of the Other. Meanwhile, an ultra-conservative Supreme Court is trampling over minority rights in the name of religion.

Is this how we strive to “form a more perfect union?” The United States is a nation that is rich in resources, but poor in morality. As a result, inequalities that should have been eradicated long ago continue to fester and high levels of deprivation exacerbate polarisation. In these fraught times, how can we come together to build a United States in which true justice is accessible to all, whatever our race, religion, or political beliefs?

Keith Magee will be signing books following the discussion.

This event is presented as part of Booktober at The Exchange. Running throughout October 2024, the programme celebrates the joy of creative writing and reading in all its forms and will be bursting with activities, events and opportunities to explore the magic of literature.