Cornerstone University Will Host Anti-Communism Event
The Grand Rapids school is hosting a forum on freedom, faith, and the future of America on October 1.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Lecture and Seminars
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Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids will hold an event titled 'Why Not Communism? A Wisdom Conversation on Freedom, Faith and the Future of America' on October 1. The program aims to educate students and the local community on the history of communism and socialism.
Why it matters
The university president organized the event in response to observations of shifting public opinion toward socialism in the United States. The program intends to inspire students to participate as engaged citizens by discussing the realities of oppressive regimes.
The event features perspectives from individuals who experienced life under autocratic regimes, including a North Korean defector and a survivor of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Globally, 74% of the world's population lives under autocracies.
The players
Cornerstone University
An educational institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that is hosting the forum.
Yeonmi Park
A North Korean defector who experienced famine in the 1990s and survived two years of trafficking starting at age 13.
Xi Van Fleet
A survivor of the Cultural Revolution in China who is scheduled to speak at the event.
Seth Dillon
A featured speaker participating in the university's upcoming conversation on freedom and faith.
Gary Saul Morson
An academic and guest speaker invited to provide historical context during the university forum.
The details
The university invited scholars and survivors of oppressive regimes to share their personal experiences and historical insights. Speakers scheduled to appear include Seth Dillon, Gary Saul Morson, Xi Van Fleet, and Yeonmi Park.
Timeline
1990s: Yeonmi Park lived through famines in North Korea.
October 1: Cornerstone University hosts the anti-communism event.
Industry Dynamics
This event reflects an increasing trend of American universities hosting forums to address political ideology through the lens of historical autocratic regimes. The university positions this conversation against the legacy of the Cultural Revolution in China to engage with modern political shifts.
The event is open to students and the local Grand Rapids community interested in the history of socialist and communist systems. Attendees can access first-hand accounts from survivors of regimes in North Korea and China.
The takeaway
The university's forum highlights how international experiences under authoritarian rule are being used to shape domestic American political discourse. Students and community members can use these diverse perspectives to better understand the global historical context of political movements.
Further reading
Find more upcoming discussions on our Lecture and Seminars page.
Live Poll
Is the growing interest in socialist policies in the U.S. a cause for public concern?
