Apparently, I had to go all the way to Denmark, just to be in the same room as Barack Obama. Before the event, instead of listening to one of my distinguished colleagues speak and hanging out with the VIPs, I will be giving a talk for the 200 students who have been privileged enough to score a ticket to the event—some by departmental affiliations in business or American studies and some by a good old-fashioned lottery.
I’d like to say that I have been specially selected to give a talk to SDU students before the Obama event, but the truth is that I was one of only two volunteers and I had the most flexibility in my schedule. The students, it turns out, will be waiting in the campus library for two hours since they are not considered VIPs. In fact, I opted out of my VIP ticket to talk with the students—a place I am far more comfortable being—even if I still have to dress in “business” attire.
(Of course, I am still trying to figure out exactly what business attire consists of and I am guessing neither yoga pants nor my “fuck racism” shirt are appropriate. I was also told, quite plainly, that a skirt—my go to for anything that requires me to “dress up”—is not a good idea. I bought a blazer, so that should do it… as long as sparkly Doc Martens are close enough to business attire...)
So, while this “A Conversation With the President” event will most likely focus around topics related to business (given the sponsorship of the business crowd in Denmark), my talk will focus on popular culture and racism: “Barack Obama: Our Pop Culture President … and the End of Racism?” While I am a bit (read: extremely) nervous, I am also excited to have this opportunity to connect with many students I would not otherwise have contact with.
And if I might be allowed to do some very un-Danish bragging, if I can fit it all into 25 minutes, my talk is going to be quite entertaining and thought-provoking! And of course there is no pressure on me to give a pre-talk before hearing/seeing one of the greatest orators of our time. And there is no pressure for the tech to work for all my video clips. And there is no pressure to get on a train that morning and not get lost….
So, stay tuned! I will be posting a copy of my talk on my website www.cultureandmovement.com
I’d like to say that I have been specially selected to give a talk to SDU students before the Obama event, but the truth is that I was one of only two volunteers and I had the most flexibility in my schedule. The students, it turns out, will be waiting in the campus library for two hours since they are not considered VIPs. In fact, I opted out of my VIP ticket to talk with the students—a place I am far more comfortable being—even if I still have to dress in “business” attire.
(Of course, I am still trying to figure out exactly what business attire consists of and I am guessing neither yoga pants nor my “fuck racism” shirt are appropriate. I was also told, quite plainly, that a skirt—my go to for anything that requires me to “dress up”—is not a good idea. I bought a blazer, so that should do it… as long as sparkly Doc Martens are close enough to business attire...)
So, while this “A Conversation With the President” event will most likely focus around topics related to business (given the sponsorship of the business crowd in Denmark), my talk will focus on popular culture and racism: “Barack Obama: Our Pop Culture President … and the End of Racism?” While I am a bit (read: extremely) nervous, I am also excited to have this opportunity to connect with many students I would not otherwise have contact with.
And if I might be allowed to do some very un-Danish bragging, if I can fit it all into 25 minutes, my talk is going to be quite entertaining and thought-provoking! And of course there is no pressure on me to give a pre-talk before hearing/seeing one of the greatest orators of our time. And there is no pressure for the tech to work for all my video clips. And there is no pressure to get on a train that morning and not get lost….
So, stay tuned! I will be posting a copy of my talk on my website www.cultureandmovement.com
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