Speaking Out of Place - DAVID PALUMBO-LIU on Reclaiming Our Political Voices - Highlights

Speaking Out of Place - DAVID PALUMBO-LIU on Reclaiming Our Political Voices - Highlights

Author: Creative Process Original Series December 27, 2025 Duration: 11:38
On the urgent need to reclaim our political voices, the forces that silence dissent, and how art and poetry are crucial tools for survival Our guest today is an activist scholar who believes the classroom is inseparable from the public square. David Palumbo-Liu is the Louise Hewlett Nixon Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University and a founding faculty member of Stanford’s Program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. But his work has long reached beyond the academy. Through his book, Speaking Out of Place: Getting Our Political Voices Back, and his podcast of the same name, he insists that the great global crises of our time—from escalating wars and democratic failures to environmental collapse—are fundamentally crises of value and voice. His recent work has put him on the front lines of campus activism, challenging institutions, resigning his membership from the MLA, a move that highlights the ethical cost of speaking truth to power. We’ll talk about what he calls the "carceral logic" of the modern university, why art and poetry are crucial tools for survival in times of war, and what he tells his students about preparing for a future defined by uncertainty. His perspective is rooted in literature, but his urgency is all about the world we live in now. We will discuss the forces that silence dissent, the "imperial logic" of AI, and what it means to be a moral, active citizen when the systems we rely on are failing.

Within the broader collection of The Creative Process, this curated series focuses specifically on the vital intersection of creativity and social change. Social Justice & Activism brings forward voices often working at the grassroots: organizers from environmental movements, representatives of Indigenous groups, and artists and writers whose work is inseparable from advocacy. These conversations, part of the Creative Process Original Series, move beyond abstract theory to explore the lived experiences of people who have devoted their lives to making a tangible difference. We hear directly about their motivations, their artistic or strategic practices, and how they navigate challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The discussions delve into personal history and professional work, revealing how creative thinking fuels activism and how the drive for justice shapes art and literature. Guests include acclaimed figures from various fields-winners of honors like the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Pulitzer-who use their platform for impact, alongside frontline activists whose stories are equally compelling. This podcast provides a space for deep, thoughtful dialogue that connects the personal with the political, the artistic with the actionable. It’s for anyone interested in how change is imagined, built, and sustained through a blend of conviction and creativity. Each episode offers a unique perspective on the ongoing struggle for a more equitable world, highlighting the human stories behind the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Social Justice & Activism - The Creative Process - Activists, Environmental, Indigenous Groups, Artists and Writers Talk Diversity, Equity and inclusion
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