MIT Graduate Program in Comparative Media Studies

Studying Media and Making Media

by on

Chris Hayes and Ta-Nehisi Coates: “Election Year 2012 and The Twilight of the Elites”

In his new book, Twilight Of The Elites, journalist and MSNBC host Chris Hayes poses a challenge with special resonance for the MIT community—Are the institutions which foster America’s leadership class working as intended? Hayes’ book covers ground as diverse as education, the financial sector, our political system and the Catholic church in an attempt to understand whether the American elite truly upholds the values of competition and meritocracy which it claims to espouse. His conclusions are troubling.

Hayes joined Atlantic Senior Editor and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting Scholar Ta-Nehisi Coates in conversation on Tuesday November 13 at MIT’s Simmons Hall for an election-year discussion on the future of our country and an assessment of its institutions.

Sponsors: Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, The Knight Science Journalism Program, Residential Scholars @ Simmons Hall, The William R. (1956) and Betsy P. Leitch Endowment.

About Andrew Whitacre

Andrew directs the communications efforts for CMS/W and its research groups. A native of Washington, D.C., he holds a degree in communication from Wake Forest University, with a minor in humanities, as well as an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College.

His work includes drawing up and executing strategic communications plans, with projects including website design, social media management and training, press outreach, product launches, fundraising campaign support, and event promotions.