The U.S. Constitution turns 227 years old this month, yet it remains the focus of fierce national debate. Politicians invoke it in their campaigns. Court decisions hinge upon its interpretation. Issues as vital as immigration reform, free speech, and freedom of religion prompt us to examine not only its words, but the intentions of its authors.
This fall, join a community-wide conversation about the Constitution through a special event series organized by Carleton College and its community partners. All events are free and open to the public:
- September 17, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Constitution Day Event at Carleton College
The evening kicks off with an excerpt from the thought-provoking PBS series Constitution USA, followed by a “lightning round” of personal statements about the Constitution from a diverse lineup of citizens including the Northfield police chief, high school students, a Minnesota state representative, and Carleton president Steve Poskanzer. The audience will be invited to share their own opinions during an open-mic session. Expect a lively conversation reflecting the many perspectives and voices of our community. See the full event details here.
- September 18, 7:00 p.m.
Constitution Lecture & Discussion at St. Olaf College
What forces influenced the men who drafted the Constitution? What compromises did they negotiate in their pursuit of “a more perfect union”? Explore the origins and interpretations of the Constitution with political scientist David Robertson, author of The Original Compromise: What the Constitution’s Framers Were Really Thinking. St. Olaf College Viking Theater. Refreshments will be served. - October 12, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
“Northfield Reads!” Event at Northfield Public Library
Engage in a community discussion on the Constitution with a particular focus on issues of free speech—a timely topic in Northfield as the community addresses concerns about speakers in Bridge Square. The Library will post short articles online for participants to read before the event.
“It’s so important for us to have these public conversations about our guiding principles and founding documents,” says Susannah Ottaway, director of the Carleton College Humanities Center, co-organizer of the Carleton event. “Here we have a dysfunctional government in Washington, fraught with an inability to compromise—yet the Constitution itself is the ultimate compromise document! That’s such a powerful symbol to our national community today.”
The Constitution Day event is linked with the Minnesota Humanities Center's “Toward a More Perfect Union” initiative, and is presented in partnership with Northfield Public Library, Northfield High School, League of Women Voters Northfield–Cannon Falls, Healthy Community Initiative, Northfield Human Rights Commission, and Arcadia Charter School. The broad partnership reflects a commitment among Northfield community organizations to encourage public discussion on important issues.
“This has been a great collaboration,” says Zach Pruitt ’00, director of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI), which helped engage area youth in the project. “Having such a variety of community partners is really powerful. If any one of us tried to tackle it alone, an event like Constitution Day might not make much of a blip on the local radar. Together, we’re able to create a much wider community conversation.”
Northfield Public Library director Teresa Jensen agrees. “We welcomed the opportunity to work together and create such a thoughtful community discussion about the Constitution,” she says. “This topic felt like a natural fit for the library, where we often face questions around the freedom to access information. Is it a right or privilege? What about when it conflicts with community standards? What if it impinges on someone else’s rights?
“People take the Constitution for granted. But we often have to look back to the Constitution to answer those questions.”
For more information about the Constitution Day event, contact the Carleton College Humanities Center at 507-222-5446.
