Chelsea Handler, actress, stand-up comedian, talk show host, and social activist, is widely known for her outspoken, blunt, and (at times) controversial presence in popular culture. Her public persona and left-leaning political opinions have gained her both love and hate from the general public and she has built her career around the opinionated, raunchy, and frank rhetoric that she flaunts on a plethora of media platforms. On Tuesday, April 3rd, Bucknell will get a taste of this pithy and controversial rhetoric when she joins us for a “fireside chat” to discuss “the current state of modern culture and politics.” She is currently travelling the country in a yearlong tour, that will include a stop in none other than Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to engage in conversations relating to America’s political and social climate. Whether you love or hate Chelsea Handler, her talk on Tuesday will undoubtedly be a spirited, witty, and relevant discussion of current events that any student could benefit from attending.
Despite her provocative opinions and rhetoric, there is certainly something to be said about a woman who has made a name for herself in a male dominated realm and who challenges gender roles through her brave and unapologetic use of her voice. Chelsea Handler does not fit in society’s box of what a woman in the public eye should look or act like, and yet she has worked hard for her success and continues to break down gender barriers and pave the way for other opinionated and powerful ladies. She frequently receives harsh and caustic criticism for her political views; however, she continues to speak up about issues that are important to her such as gun control, racial and gender equality, and other relevant topics.
Conservative members of Bucknell’s student body may feel as though they have nothing to gain from attending Chelsea Handler’s talk on Thursday due to her notoriously left leaning stances on current events; however, I would argue that there is something to gain for liberal and conservative students alike who plan to attend this event. Unlike many events hosted by the Bucknell Student Lectureship Committee, this talk will not take the form of a lecture. Instead, the head of philosophy at Bucknell, Sheila Lintott, will moderate a discussion between Handler and the student body that will address topics and questions submitted by students prior to the event. This format and the inclusion of students’ perspectives and ideas should result in an interesting, engaging, and unique night intended to raise awareness for politically relevant issues and spark potentially difficult campus-wide conversations. Free tickets for the event will be available on April 3rd from 12-4pm at the CAP center and can be picked up at 6pm in the Weis Center. The talk will begin at 7pm on Tuesday night. For more information about the event and about Chelsea Handler, take a look at this video created by the Bucknell Student Lectureship Committee:
https://www.facebook.com/melodysonnemann/videos/10212307537665609/?t=40