Starting West: The Region's Image and Identity in National Media and Culture

Through Hollywood, the West has an enormous influence on popular culture. Yet the American West really lacks an intellectual, cultural, or social presence within either the country or the continent. Eastern newspapers, Eastern publishers, Eastern intellectual centers, and agencies, public and private, based in Washington, D.C. still provide the authoritative voices on Western matters.

This public forum focuses on how we in the West can foster a stronger and more coherent presence in national political, social, and cultural conversations.

Panelists include Roger G. Kennedy, Director Emeritus, National Museum of American History and Former Director, U.S. National Park Service; Betsy Marston, Editor, High Country News; and Kevin Starr, Professor of History, USC.