2026 Great Decisions Series 1
This program was part of our Great Decisions Series, a partnered project with the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan to bring thought-provoking speakers on world affairs to West Michigan in February & March each year.
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Emily Feng, NPR International Correspondent.
In today’s China, questions of identity are no longer private. They are political, enforced, and deeply personal. This talk explored contemporary China through lived experience, drawing on NPR correspondent Emily Feng’s reporting and her new book on identity and belonging under Xi Jinping. Blending analysis with vivid personal stories, it examined how politics and ideology shape everyday life for people from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The discussion highlighted the tension between China’s social diversity and the state’s increasingly narrow vision of national identity, as well as how individuals navigate pressure to conform. It also addressed the challenges of reporting from inside China today and explained why human-centered narratives are essential for understanding the country beyond headlines and geopolitics. Guests joined us for an intriguing discussion on the role of identity in political conformity and resistance in China today.
A reception for this event took place from 5:15 – 6pm. Those who joined us met other community members interested in the world.
About the Great Decisions Series
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. This year’s Great Decisions series with World Affairs Council West Michigan reflects our country’s long history in global affairs and the current events that shape our continued engagement with the world. To join in other America250 initiatives, visit: https://america250.org/
Details on Attending
Where
Due to the shutdown of the federal government, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum was closed. The program with NPR’s China correspondent Emily Feng was hosted at Grand Rapids Community College’s Applied Technology Center (ATC) Auditorium, 151 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids, MI.
Parking was available in Ramp A (which is on Ransom Ave NE, just north of Fountain), and attendees were given an exit ticket. People could walk across the bridge from the parking ramp to the ATC and enter directly on Ransom. Information regarding the location of the rest of the series was updated on our website as information became available.
Here’s a link to a campus map of GRCC: https://www.grcc.edu/about-grcc/campus-maps
When
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Program: 6:00 p.m.
Registration
The event was free and open to the public and registration and tickets were not required to attend in person.
Watch the Livestream
Program Supporters
In partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, Grand Rapids Community College, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Center, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation was proud to bring the Great Decisions Series to Grand Rapids.
