As a part of ETSU’s Civility Week and Festival of Ideas, Meghan McCain, a political commentator and former co-host of “The View,” came to share her thoughts about the future of the nation.
The event took place last Thursday, March 31, at the Martin Center for the Arts. The event drew a crowd of about 100 people. The discussion was guided and then opened up to accept questions from the audience. The event in total lasted about an hour and a half.
For students, faculty and staff who missed the discussion, McCain covered topics ranging from her upbringing, political initiatives, women’s issues, cancel culture, censorship, her favorite music and more. The conversation began with McCain’s upbringing, which led to her desire to enter politics. As the daughter of the late John McCain, the 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate, Meghan had been surrounded by politics from a young age.
“Sometimes, I think, through osmosis, you become interested in things, because you’re ensconced with it growing up,” McCain said. “I just don’t know how to do anything else.”
From there, the conversation shifted to the policy initiatives that McCain feels are the most important today. Specifically, McCain is most concerned with China, Big Tech and censorship, as well as paid parental, maternal and familial leave.
McCain was also fielded questions about being an outspoken, conservative woman in today’s political climate.
“I think strong women, no matter where you are, what you do, it triggers a reaction in people,” McCain said.
McCain urges women to keep doing what they’re doing.
“We have to stay in the arena and stay working and stay active and stay vocal,” McCain said. She encourages women everywhere to remain strong and not give up.
McCain also took time to address young members of the audience. She has faith that the younger generation will be the generation to restore America.
“I think that this generation [Generation Z] in particular is going to be the one to fix it because they don’t have any other options,” McCain said.
For those in college, who are figuring out who they are, McCain shared what she would go back and tell her college-age self.
“It’s okay to not know what you want to do right now… slow down… it’s okay to not be perfect,” McCain said.
She urges that everyone, no matter their age, lead with love, compassion and empathy in conversation.
McCain received applause and appreciation for speaking at ETSU. Her Q&A is just one of the many events hosted by ETSU for Civility Week and Festival of Ideas, which concludes on April 4.
