 Global Perspectives: America First - Then and Now
In person and livestream • 3:00 PM • February 8 & 15, March 1 & 8 In the United States in the past there was an American First Committee, highly active before the Second World War. It was popular especially in the interior of the country. Its two major themes were isolationism, or commitment to fortress America, and anti-Semitism, or anti-foreign sentiment especially focused on Jews who were seen as un-American. As Donald J. Trump moved from the business world to that of politics, he resurrected the slogan of “America First”. Many of his supporters seemed to be isolationists or something similar. They seemed to particularly dislike “forever wars” in Vietnam and Afghanistan, as well as foreign aid and entangling alliances. Likewise, many of his followers appeared to be nativists (prioritizing the native born, especially White Christians) and critical of the growing number of foreigners seeking entry to the United States. The question of anti-Semitism and Donald Trump is a much more complex topic than anti-Semitism in the days of the American First Committee involving Charles Lindbergh and Henry Ford. This series examines the similarities and differences in the America First movements, then and now. It also considers relevant linked issues such as increased tariffs in trade, arguably designed to prioritize American economic interests. Sunday, February 8 LIVESTREAM LINK 3:00 – 4:30 PM Sean Trundle, UNL associate professor of practice, History, will give a historical introduction to the topic. Sean Trundle, UNL History, has his Ph.D. from the U. of Hawaii-Manoa. His primary focus is US cultural history. Among his particular interests are digital developments and most other aspects of modern American history post-civil war. Sunday, February 15 LIVESTREAM LINK 3:00 – 4:30 PM Uche Jarrett, UNL associate professor of practice, Economics, will analyze the leading economic issues today for the US concerning national growth, trade, and tariffs in historical perspective. Uchechukwu Jarrett, UNL Economics, has his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His primary interests are US economic growth, development, and trade. He has special interests in energy and environmental economics. Risk and trade is a special focus. Sunday, March 1 LIVESTREAM LINK 3:00 – 4:30 PM Emira Ibrahimpasic, UNL associate professor of practice in Global Studies, and Julia Reilly, UNL assistant professor of practice in Global Studies and Human Rights, will address the leading social issues stemming from the America First theme, especially immigration and deportations. Emira Ibrahimpasic has her Ph.D. from the U. of New Mexico. Trained in Anthropology, she has broad interests including women’s studies, global studies, and colonialism and its aftermath, including attention to the Islamic world. Her current interests focus on refugees. Julia Reilly has her Ph.D. from UNL. With an orientation toward politics and human rights, she is especially interested in accountability for human rights violations, with special attention to both the end of civil wars and genocide. She is currently interested in refugee resettlement in the American Midwest. Sunday, March 8 LIVESTREAM LINK 3:00 – 4:30 PM David Forsythe, UNL emeritus professor of Political Science, will discuss Trump’s foreign policy in historical perspective, including isolationism, unilateralism, and Israel. David Forsythe has his Ph.D. from Princeton. He is a long-time analyst of international human rights and humanitarian affairs. His recent interests focus on the role of the International Red Cross in conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine.
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Unitarian Church of Lincoln (UCL) Art Gallery • Featured Art: Fiber Works • February 2026 Fiber Works is a group of fiber artists from Lincoln and the surrounding area that was organized in 2009. The artists enjoy working together to expand their knowledge and push the boundaries of their creativity. The February exhibit features fiber artists Sheila Green, Dorothy Heidemann-Nelson, and Lynne O’Rourke, highlighting their Improv Round Robin and Affirmation quilts. The cat is part of the Affirmation group, and the other quilt is by the Improv Round Robin. ARTIST’S RECEPTION • Sunday, February 1 • 12:30 - 2:00 PM Join us in the Gallery to meet and greet the artists and learn more about their work.  Third Wednesday, Feb 18 5:30 - 8:00 PM Community Swap Meet 5:30 PM - Brown Bag dinner or Pizza by the slice ($1.00) 6:15 PM - Brief Welcome from Rev. A.J. 7:00 PM - Three Programming Options 1. Seeds of a New Way book discussion: Explore how to foster and nourish diverse and authentic leadership within congregations. Rather than presenting one definitive pathway or roadmap, Seeds of a New Way recognizes that the specific context and relationships within any given setting will shape the journey and so brings together a diverse array of perspectives. 2. Aloha Ho’oponopono Workshop: In this workshop, we draw on the wisdom of the ancient Hawaiian practice of Ho'oponopono, meaning "to make right, right" or "to restore balance." A safe space to explore how to take responsibility, and restore peace within ourselves and our relationships. 3. Jackbox games for Youth/Young Adults: Jackbox Games is best know for hits like Quiplash, Fibbage, Drawful, Tee K.O. and Trivia Murder Party. The church owns Jackbox Party Packs 3 through 10. Louis Helms hosted Fourth Friday Game Night online throughout the Pandemic. He will make the settings kid-friendly. How to Play: Once the host hits play, the game will open a lobby room. Players join the lobby by visiting Jackbox.tv on a smartphone or iPad. Each person enters the room code on the host screen. Once everybody is in, the host will launch the game! COMMUNITY SWAP MEET Wednesday, February 18 • 5:30 - 8:00 PM More about the Community Swap Meet: Basically it is a "FREE GARAGE SALE". Everyone brings things to give away and takes anything home that they wish to re-home. This type of Mutual Aid is more important than ever. Another way to get out of the consumer mindset. Building community is one value of Wonderful Wednesdays. Please note: At the end of the event, you need to take with you anything that does not get taken home by others.  |
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