Candid conversation to address race, justice, violence and police in 21st century America
Marc Lamont Hill
On Thursday, Sept. 1, Syracuse University will host the inaugural Fall 2016 Symposium on Race and Our Communities: Race, Justice, Violence and Police in 21st Century America. The symposium will provide an opportunity for candid conversation about racial inequality, community relations, police brutality and other forms of violence. The event begins at 5 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center, and will include student speakers, a keynote address by Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, and an esteemed panel of scholars, activists and experts.
“After a summer marked with violence in cities and countries across the globe, this symposium will bring our community together to have a serious conversation about real and difficult issues,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “These are tough conversations to have but critically important. I know this initiative will have a lasting impact on our campus community.”
American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real Time (CART) interpretation will be available for each event. If you have requests for accessibility and accommodations, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services (EOIRS) office at 315.443.4018. Free tickets are available at the Schine Student Center Box Office. The box office is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday.
The keynote address delivered by Dr. Hill will focus on this racial violence and the racial inequalities throughout the United States, and offer ways to take action to address oppression and reduce racial violence.
Hill, an award-winning journalist and author, is host of HuffPost Live, BET News and VH1 Live, and a political contributor for CNN. As an activist and scholar, Hill has spent much of his career working with nonprofit organizations and campaigns. He is also a Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Morehouse College.
“The acts of violence against people of color and law enforcement officials have heightened national discourse about police brutality and race relations and caused feelings of fear, anger and frustration for so many,” says Barry L. Wells, special assistant to the chancellor and organizer of the symposium. “From this conversation, we can address these challenges, build understanding and identify ways we can create positive change.”
Moderating the evening’s panel discussion, which will immediately follow Dr. Hill’s remarks, is Keith A. Alford, associate professor of social work in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Panelists include:
The Symposium on Race and Communities serves as the launch to a yearlong initiative to promote programming and speakers that address diversity, equity and inclusion. Knowing that acts of violence, marginalization and injustice create barriers in fostering inclusive communities, continuous opportunities for dialogue and discussion will be highlighted throughout the year. Included in these opportunities are the many existing diversity and inclusion programs, as well as a number of speakers and events, sponsored by the University’s schools, colleges and administrative units.
Important to this University-wide effort is student-led initiatives. Students interested in hosting events or programs that address race and our communities, or are interested in learning how they can get involved in other programs, are encouraged to contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
