Historian Jon Meacham gives a lecture at Kean University

By Kelly Contreras | Published by Nov. 26, 2018

Jon Meacham giving a lecture in NAAB with a sign language interpreter. Photo by Joshua Rosario

Kean University held a Distinguished Lecture Series with Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Jon Meacham, on Oct. 24.

President Dawood Farahi opened the lecture by introducing Jonathan Mercantini, the acting dean for the College of Liberal Arts, who then introduced Meacham as “one of America’s most prominent intellectuals.”

Meacham responded to his introduction with “Thank you… yeah, I am all those things, that’s great. [But] I think he’s underselling it a little.” He then went on to tell a short story about a fan who made him believe, “I have the world right where I want it,” until he realized that she mistook him for the novelist John Grisham.

“It was a great reminder that in fact, I am not the most prominent of anything,” said Meacham. “Somewhere in America, there’s a woman with a forged copy of The Runaway Jury.”

He incorporated more small stories throughout the rest of the evening and provided examples using both historic and present scenarios.

When discussing America and who runs our country, Meacham says, “Part of my goal here is not to say we’ve been here before so relax. But it is to say … what was it about our actions in those moments that produce a country that we want to defend.”

America may not always be referred to as a perfect country. Although, Meacham reminded the audience that “we are doing just fine … We are a country where immigration is an issue because people still wish to come here.”

Meacham spoke on how America has made massive progress over “an immense amount of time.” Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Not like you would hear any complaints, although for some people it did not go as fast as others may presume.

“The story of the country is the insistence that we cannot give up,” said Meacham.

Jon Meacham going into further detail about what has already been said. Photo by Joshua Rosario

He brought up how he once wrote a public letter to President Trump, which was published on the front page of The Times in regards to former President, Andrew Jackson.

He received a phone call from former President George W. Bush stating that Jackson, who was already deceased, “would have paid more attention” than Trump.

Bush was mentioned multiple times referring to his presidency, whether it be a small joke or an actual insight into the importance of who we once had the opportunity to elect.

When given the example of Bush running in an athletic race with obstacles, he saw one of his peers, Bennett McNickel. Instead of easily beating him in the race, he stopped, helped him up, and they completed the race together.

According to Meacham, McNickel said it was “the nicest thing anyone has ever done for him.”

Another solid example is when Meacham discussed his private interview with him.

He had Bush read a letter he had written to his mother when his daughter died of leukemia. Tears were shed and when Bush’s chief of staff asked why he wanted him to read the letter, Meacham said, “well if you want to know someone’s heart’’ and before he could finish, Bush jumped in and said, “you have to know what breaks it.”

Jon Meacham discussing with Jonathan Mercantini after his lecture. Photo by Joshua Rosario

This was Meacham’s example of what our country’s character was, and should continue to be. He also stated, “I think it’s the kind of person that we can, with luck, not only find again but try to be again.”

“Years from now, this is going to look like Obama’s America, not Trump’s.”

Mercantini then reentered the stage and sat alongside with Meacham to ask further questions.

After the lecture, those who registered for the lunch at Ursino Steakhouse left the lecture via trolleys where they were able to speak with Jon Meacham and enjoy a meal as well.