Decades of neoliberalism have negatively impacted our sense of self-worth, up and down the income ladder. Increasingly, we have judged ourselves and others in terms of self-reliance, competition, accomplishments and diplomas, prioritizing material and professional success. But foregrounding these middle-class attributes feeds stigmatization of the working-class, the poor, people of colour, and the LGBTQIA+ community, leaving far too many on the outside. The solution, Lamont argues, is to promote new scripts of self that weaken group boundaries, reduce stigma, and push against racial and class segregation. We should shift our focus towards what we have in common while actively working to recognize the diverse ways one can live a life.
Just as Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone did for a previous generation, Lamont’s work strikes at the heart of our modern struggles and illuminates an inclusive path to take us well beyond tribalism and the false promise of individual grit.
More information
Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Time: 20:00 (drinks from 19:30)
Location: De Sportschool, Boergoensevliet 110
Admission: €10,- (regular), €6,- (reduced)
Language: English
