Eric Liu
Eric Liu
Full Name and Common Aliases
Eric Liu is a Chinese-American author, former speechwriter for Al Gore, and a leading voice on civic engagement and politics.
Birth and Death Dates
Eric Liu was born on October 26, 1968. His current status as alive means he has no death date to report.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Liu is an American of Chinese descent, holding dual citizenship in the United States and China. He serves as a writer, author, and public speaker, with a focus on civic engagement and politics.
Early Life and Background
Born in Shanghai, Eric Liu immigrated to the United States at a young age. He grew up in Berkeley, California, where he developed an interest in politics and social justice. Liu's parents, who were both intellectuals, instilled in him a love for learning and critical thinking. He attended Stanford University, graduating with honors in 1990.
Major Accomplishments
As a speechwriter for Al Gore during the presidential campaign of 2000, Eric Liu played a key role in shaping the candidate's message and vision for America. After the campaign, Liu went on to write several books that have become influential in the field of civic engagement. His work has been widely praised for its thoughtfulness and commitment to empowering individuals to make a positive impact.
Notable Works or Actions
Eric Liu is the author of "The True Patriot: Love, Fortune, Country", released in 2004. In this book, he explores the nature of patriotism and civic engagement in America. His second book, "A Chinaman's Chance: The Chinese on the American Frontier", published in 2010, examines the history of Chinese immigrants in the United States.
Liu has also been a vocal advocate for increasing voter turnout and improving access to voting. He founded Citizen University, an organization dedicated to fostering civic engagement and promoting democratic values.
Impact and Legacy
Eric Liu's work has had a significant impact on American politics and society. His ideas about patriotism and civic engagement have inspired countless individuals to become more involved in their communities. Through his writing and public speaking, he continues to inspire Americans to engage with the world around them.
As a leading voice on civic engagement, Eric Liu has appeared on various media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. His thought-provoking ideas about politics, society, and individual responsibility have made him a respected figure in American intellectual life.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Eric Liu is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful analysis of civic engagement and politics. As a leading thinker on these topics, he has been recognized as one of the most influential voices in America today. His books have become classics in their field, offering readers practical advice on how to make a positive difference.
His work continues to inspire people from all walks of life, from students to community leaders, and policymakers alike. For those seeking to understand the complexities of American society, Eric Liu's writing offers valuable insights into the nature of citizenship and civic responsibility.
Quotes by Eric Liu
Americans need to call on Boomers, in their next act onstage, to behave like grown-ups. And there is no better way for them to do this than to guide young people to lives of greater meaning, effectiveness, and purpose.
Here’s a proposal, offered only partly in jest: no resident of the United States, whether born here or abroad, should get to be a citizen until age 18, at which time each such resident has to take a test.
And that brings me to my definition of power, which is simply this: the capacity to make others do what you would have them do. It sounds menacing, doesn’t it? We don’t like to talk about power. We find it scary. We find it somehow evil. We feel uncomfortable naming it. In the culture and mythology of democracy, power resides with the people.
Throughout this country’s history there have of course been systematic efforts to create an official underclass.
Sometimes when I listen to fellow progressives, I wonder if the only lesson we took away from the ’04 elections is that politics is a word game.
Six decades ago, as Mao’s Communists seized power, the question in Washington was, ‘Who lost China?’ Now, as his capitalist descendants stand astride the world stage and Washington worries about decline, it seems to be, ‘Who lost America?’
Much of our national debate proceeds as if China and America were locked in a zero-sum game in which one’s loss is precisely the other’s gain.
Conservatives forget that citizenship is more than a thing to withhold from immigrants. Progressives forget it’s more than a set of rights.
As it stands now, those of us who are lucky enough to be citizens by birth don’t have to do much. Very little is asked of us.
Many smart folks seem to think that if you just get your metaphors and messages right, you’ll win. That if you start describing what you favor as a ‘moral value’ – ‘affordable health care is a moral value’ etc., – then you’ll appeal to red-state voters.