The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches’ September meeting featured sports journalist and bestselling author Wright Thompson. Mr. Thompson spoke to the audience about his experiences as a journalist and the writing process for his New York Times Bestseller, “The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi,” which provides insight into the death of Emmett Till.

The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches is Florida’s largest nonpartisan political and public affairs nonprofit organization, which aims to “inform and educate the community’s social, business and political interest.” The club hosts speakers at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, occasionally inviting students from Palm Beach County high schools to attend. This meeting, the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Jupiter Community High School tables were sponsored on behalf of the J.M. Rubin Foundation and the Culpepper Family. 

In a moderated session, Mr. Thompson answered questions from attendees. Traditionally, The Forum Club asks for the student-sponsored tables to be the first audience members to ask questions to the guest speaker. Communications senior and SGA President Gavin Murray asked Mr. Thompson a question concerning the balance between objectivity and emotion in his writing.

“Objectivity is a myth, but fairness isn’t,” Mr. Thompson said. “You want to be accurate, and you want to know your own biases.” 

Following the conclusion of the event, Mr. Thompson gifted each Dreyfoos attendee a personalized and signed copy of “The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi.”