Not Black & White: A Political Debate of Reversed Roles

PRESS RELEASE:

A week before Election Day, Asheville School will welcome Sally Kohn and Tara Setmayer for a spirited and friendly political debate on November 3 in the Walker Arts Center’s Graham Theater.

The event, “Not Black & White: A Political Debate of Reversed Roles” is free and open to the public, although seating may be limited. It will begin at 7:15 p.m.

“We are very excited to host these two speakers who can speak to both sides of the political spectrum in a civil and intelligent manner,” said John Gregory, Asheville School humanities department chair, who helped organize the event.

Kohn and Setmayer are frequent contributors on CNN. They plan on discussing a wide range of salient topics while demonstrating a partisan debate conducted with respect, acumen and humor.

Kohn is a columnist for the Daily Beast and is known for her progressive views. She is ranked by Mediaite as one of the 100 most influential pundits on television and by the Advocate as the 35th most influential LGBT person in the media. According to her website, Kohn has worked as a contributor to Fox News and has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, New York Magazine, USA Today and other outlets.

Setmayer, also a columnist for the Daily Beast, is a noted conservative. She is a former communications director on Capitol Hill and has appeared on outlets that include Fox News, HBO, CNN, C-SPAN, The Wall Street Journal and NPR. According to her website, Setmayer “focuses her no-nonsense commentary and analysis on political issues that impact America’s future.”

Associate Head of School Jay Bonner is pleased with the timeliness of this event.

“Bringing in two political pundits in advance of the election—two women who are political pros, each with a different political perspective—provides our students—and my colleagues and me—with a helpful litmus test as we think of casting our votes in this contested Presidential election year,” Bonner said.

A reception will be held from the conclusion of the debate until 9:00 p.m. If you have questions, please call (828) 254-6345 ext. 4000. You can see directions to Asheville School here.

Asheville School is a nationally acclaimed co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12. The 285 students enrolled at Asheville School represent 20 states and 16 countries. Recent graduates have been accepted to Amherst, Columbia, Davidson, Duke, Elon, Emory, Furman, Georgetown, Harvard, NC State, Rhodes, Sewanee, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, William & Mary, WashU, Wofford, and Yale among others.