MSNBC host Rachel Maddow discussed activism and war in the United States with AU students as part of her book tour on April 21 in Bender Arena.
The event was sponsored by the Kennedy Political Union and was a part of Maddow's tour for her new book "Drift" that discusses Americans' acceptance with a state of perpetual war.
"We are the generation that has fought the longest war in American history...and it never ever really felt like we were fighting," she said.
Maddow felt discomfort with the idea of Americans enjoying tax cuts and shopping sprees while others gave their life in battle.
"For the last 12 years, the life of military family in America is very, very different than the typical civilian family," she said.
In reaction, Maddow urged students to participate in their government and change what she considers to be a society and government inconsistent with its founding principles.
However, Maddow herself had never considered a position in public office, and she credits her history in the activist community for never having run for public office.
"I was the person who would chain themselves to the desk of people in government service [to get their attention]...I saw myself as an activist and now I see myself as a person who explains activism," she said.
When she first came out as gay in the Stanford University newspaper, at the height of an AIDS epidemic in 1989, Maddow almost immediately joined the AIDS activist community. Maddow felt a sense of solidarity with the gay community affected by the issue.
"I felt like these were my people...it just felt like we were being exterminated [as a result of the epidemic]," she said.
While she looked to activism as a means of change, Maddow encouraged students to change Congress by running for office.
"I really want people to feel earnest about public service and not be discouraged by the kooks who had gone before you," she said.
sgaber@theeagleonline.com
