Clay Jenkinson returns to the Vail Symposium stage for 3 events
Courtesy photo
Clay Jenkinson, the scholar, author, editor and podcast host, returns to the Vail Symposium stage for three special programs this week.
On Wednesday, March 26, Jenkinson will host a discussion with linguistics professor Dr. Valerie Fridland on the power of language. On Thursday, March 27, he’ll host a debate with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky on the most indispensable Founding Father. He’ll also host a live podcast recording of “Listening To America” about 10 key moments of the American Revolution.
“This will be a fascinating and fun week at the Vail Symposium,” said Vail Symposium Executive Director James Kenly. “Everyone has encountered awkward or uncomfortable situations with language and we’re all living in the vision of America’s Founding Fathers so I hope folks come out ready to engage and ask questions.”
Loaded Words and the Power of Language
What words do we use, how do we use them, who gets to say what, and who decides? In an era when we are at times becoming more aware of renaming of places (i.e., removing “Squaw” and reassessing violent figures), we also seem less prone to check our language in other arenas, with extreme language showing up more frequently in politics and profanity appears in more general use.
Norms of what is acceptable are changing rapidly. What makes language “good” or “bad” and in what contexts? What becomes profane? Who gets the power of naming the places we are in, and how is the discourse of even what we call ourselves (pronouns) being shaped?
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In this fun and informative conversation at the Vail Interfaith Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jenkinson is joined by Dr. Valerie Fridland, professor of linguistics and author of “Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.” Fridland has been featured in media outlets ranging from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times to Armchair Expert, Alan Alda’s “Clear+Vivid” and NPR.
Jenkinson and Fridland will discuss the paradox of free speech, the balance between cancellation and allowing for good faith efforts, and talk about the historic and current challenges we encounter in the search for shared meaning. What role does language play in class and group identity? Does humor play a role? Most importantly, why does it matter, and can we use the power of words to learn to listen to one another more openly?
Free “Listening to America” live podcast recording
Get in the spirit of America’s 250th birthday in 2026 with a lively conversation between two illustrious historians as they nominate, debate and ratify the 10 Key Moments of the American Revolution. This special program from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Avon is an opportunity to attend a live taping of Jenkinson’s podcast, “Listening To America” and engage with him and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. The program is free and includes lunch; limited seats are available.
Presidential Precedents: Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson
Who Was the Founding Indispensable Man (or Woman)?
Presidential historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Jenkinson engage in frequent public discussions of the Founding Fathers and the Early National Period of American history. Chervinsky is the executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Clay is a Thomas Jefferson scholar (and advocate) and one of the principal talking heads in Ken Burns’ 1998 documentary on Jefferson.
On Jenkinson’s weekly “Listening to America” podcast, Chervinsky often enjoys deflating the historical achievement and reputation of Jefferson. The two scholars spar — civilly and playfully — about the American Revolution, the creation of the U.S. Constitution, and the presidencies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and John Quincy Adams.
In this program from 6 -7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Avon, Jenkinson and Chervinsky take a look at the Founding Fathers and ask, “Who Was the Indispensable Man?” The title comes from historian James Flexner’s 1974 biography, “Washington: The Indispensable Man.”
The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and, at the end of the evening, cast their vote for the Founders’ Indispensable Man.
More information: Event tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door unless otherwise noted. To purchase tickets, visit VailSymposium.org.
