Kathleen Belew, an Associate Professor of History at Northwestern University, delivered the 2026 Peter C. Schaerer Memorial Lecture at Colgate University on September 24, 2023. The lecture addressed themes of fear and community crisis in suburbs, inspired by her forthcoming book, Home at the End of the World (spring 2027).
Introduced by Associate Professor Alexander Karn, who framed America’s violent history, Belew reflected on the tragic impact of school shootings, particularly recalling the Columbine shooting while she was in high school. She traced the societal failure to respond effectively to such violence back to the culture of fear prevalent in post-Cold War America.
Belew emphasized that suburban designs, shaped by fears of nuclear attacks and neighborhood monitoring, perpetuate systemic inequalities, especially towards children of color, who are often viewed through a lens of suspicion.
Attendees like Isabelle Fries highlighted how Belew’s insights connect suburban security measures and societal complacency regarding gun violence. The talk also addressed the rise of Christian nationalism and its interplay with the narratives surrounding tragedies like Columbine, noting how religious rhetoric framed victims as martyrs.
Belew concluded by presenting competing visions for America’s future—one marked by fear and division, perpetuated by Christian nationalists, and another focused on community connection and support. Her call to action emphasized recognizing and addressing the harm caused by fear, advocating for a united effort to foster understanding and alternatives in the face of societal challenges.
