Majority norms and minority communities

3:00 - 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2017
PSU 313

Throughout America’s history, the shared norms that our free society was said to require were those consistent with majoritarian norms, to which minority communities were expected to adapt. As the nation has grown more diverse, it seems clear that the older understanding demanded too much, that the necessary shared norms are not nearly as expansive as once thought. It remains true, however, that departures from majoritarian norms are often met with resistance and condemnation. How can we ensure that the “pursuit of happiness” is meaningful to all citizens, especially racial, ethnic, sexual, religious and ideological minorities?    

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