Chris Parker goes toe-to-toe with Tea Party
Chris Parker, a political science professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, spoke at Grinnell on Tuesday, Nov. 11, about his recent book Change They Cant Believe In: The Tea Party and Reactionary Politics in America. Parkers talk revolved around the rise and identity of the Tea Party within the American political system, with a particular emphasis on the psychology behind the movement.
Besides the unique and relevant nature of his book, Parker was invited to speak at Grinnell given his connections with the College. Fourteen years ago, Parker received a fellowship through the Consortium for Faculty Diversity in Liberal Arts Colleges that allowed him to teach two semesters at Grinnell while he finished his doctoral dissertation.
Grinnells a very special place for me, Parker said. It has played an instrumental role in my career.
As the head of Grinnells Political Science department, Professor Barbara Trish mentioned the continuing relationship between the College and Parker as she introduced Parker to the large audience.
We touch base with him at conferences whenever we see him, [and] I think weve talked to him when we had job openings to see if he has any insights or ideas about candidates who would be good for Grinnell, she said.
After Trishs introduction, Parker dove into his talk outlining his research on the Tea Party and its relation to the mainstream political establishment.
There is something that explains their distaste for Obama beyond politics, beyond even race, Parker observed.
Chris Parker returned to Grinnell College to discuss his new book, Change They Cant Believe In. Photo by Shadman Asif.
He identified several reactionary movements throughout American history, including the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s and the John Birch Society, which he thought closely resembled the role the Tea Party plays in our current society.
These people are always there, they just need something in the culture to activate them, Parker said.
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Chris Parker goes toe-to-toe with Tea Party