Although race and identity always have shaped U.S. politics, they reemerged four years ago with new intensity. In what was supposed to be Obama's post-racial America as the pivot point of the election, they became the unapologetic driver of Donald Trump's unexpected victory. But the reenergized forces that propelled Trump to the White House did not spring out of a vacuum. The crowd-pleasing candidate merely marshaled spirits unleashed half a century ago in what was a culmination of the so-called "Southern strategy," as the Republicans' pushed race and identity to the political forefront. In its fourth show of the season, a panel of nationally known voices discuss the role of race in American politics and how identity issues are shaping our daily lives.

Common Ground host Jane Whitney is joined by:
Heather McGhee, Author of the New York Times Bestseller The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Don Lemon, CNN Anchor and author of This Is the Fire
Richard Lui, MSNBC Anchor, Author & Director
Jelani Cobb, Staff Writer, The New Yorker

Although race and identity always have shaped U.S. politics, they reemerged four years ago with new intensity. In what was supposed to be Obama's post-racial America as the pivot point of the election, they became the unapologetic driver of Donald Trump's unexpected victory. But the reenergized forces that propelled Trump to the White House did not spring out of a vacuum. The crowd-pleasing candidate merely marshaled spirits unleashed half a century ago in what was a culmination of the so-called "Southern strategy," as the Republicans' pushed race and identity to the political forefront. In its fourth show of the season, a panel of nationally known voices discuss the role of race in American politics and how identity issues are shaping our daily lives.
Common Ground host Jane Whitney is joined by:
<ul>
<li>Heather McGhee, Author of the New York Times Bestseller The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together</li>
<li>Don Lemon, CNN Anchor and author of This Is the Fire</li>
<li>Richard Lui, MSNBC Anchor, Author &amp; Director</li>
<li>Jelani Cobb, Staff Writer, The New Yorker</li>
</ul>

Common Ground with Jane Whitney is a new series that features deep-dive conversations with the nation’s leading thinkers, leaders and experts around the nation’s most important issues. The 12-episode series explores national public affairs issues from government and politics to the environment and global affairs -- with a mission to inform and inspire communities through shared dialogue and providing thought-provoking suggestions and solutions that capture Americans’ attention. The shows are interactive, designed to allow the expert panelists and the audience to share experiences, perspectives and insights in an effort to build an ongoing conversation that bonds the people together.

Common Ground with Jane Whitney is produced by Conversations On the Green (COG), a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization. Lindsey Gruson serves as the executive producer of the series.

Common Ground with Jane Whitney is a new series that features deep-dive conversations with the nation&rsquo;s leading thinkers, leaders and experts around the nation&rsquo;s most important issues. The 12-episode series explores national public affairs issues from government and politics to the environment and global affairs -- with a mission to inform and inspire communities through shared dialogue and providing thought-provoking suggestions and solutions that capture Americans&rsquo; attention. The shows are interactive, designed to allow the expert panelists and the audience to share experiences, perspectives and insights in an effort to build an ongoing conversation that bonds the people together.
Common Ground with Jane Whitney is produced by Conversations On the Green (COG), a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization. Lindsey Gruson serves as the executive producer of the series.

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