PNW Race, Racism, Anti-Racism Series
Since the brutal killing of George Floyd, millions of Americans and people in other countries have been shocked and outraged. Hundreds of protests have been held in cities large and small across America – perhaps the largest demonstrations against racism since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Urgent questions about inequality, racial discrimination and police violence have opened up a national dialogue.
Engage with us in faculty-driven discussion as we reflect on these recent events and social movements.
Fall 2020 Series
Register for the Virtual Lecture Series
Registration is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. The Zoom password is 5Kb0AC.
How to Talk About Race in the 21st Century
What is the global context for race? What is the connection between race and colonialism? How can we understand individual and systemic racism?
Presentation with Q&A
Monday, November 30, 2:00-3:15 PM
Kim Scipes, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology, PNW
The Series Continues in Spring 2021
This popular series continues into the spring with talks surrounding race and gender, #BlackLivesMatter and more. Register now to reserve your spot!
Register For The Virtual Lecture Series
Save The Date - Lee Artz Panel
January 2021
Date and Time To be Announced
What Breast Cancer Teaches Us About Health Equity for Communities of Color
Presentation and discussion with three panelists: Tranece Artis, Executive Director, Laini Fluellen Charities; Maria Perez, Coordinator of Women’s Health Outreach; Rachel Nagengast, Cancer Education Program Specialist.
Interview with Q&A
Thursday, February 4 (World Cancer Day), 12:30-1:45 PM
Karen B. Morris
Associate Professor, English
Race and Gender and the Outcome of the 2020 Election
Presentation and discussion with Q&A portion by Lee Artz.
Interview with Q&A
Tuesday, March 23, 12:30-1:45 PM
Nadia E. Brown
Associate Professor, Political Science, Purdue West Lafayette
The 1619 Project # Summer of 2020
Presentation and discussion.
Monday, April 19, 12:30-1:45 PM
Mita Choudhury
Professor, English
Past Speakers
The Return of Black-Led Grassroots Politics
What are the structures and practices of racism in the US? How do protests, defunding police, and removing statues address inequality? What do protests accomplish?
Glen Ford
Executive Editor, Black Agenda Report, a leading independent Black journal
Race and Wrongful Convictions
How is the criminal justice system racially biased? What practices by police and courts express and affect race inequality? What actions might challenge wrongful convictions?
Nicky Jackson, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, PNW ) with Roosevelt Glenn (Author and Exoneree)
Media Framing and the Politics of Racism
How do media frame police violence and protests? How do media promote politician reforms and silence black voices for systemic change? How do media represent race relations?
Lee Artz, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication, PNW
Series Coordinator
Series Moderator
Associate Professor of English
(219) 989-3176
Classroom Office Building 256
Series Abstracts
Kim Scipes, How to Talk About Race in the 21st Century
There is undoubtedly more confusion, more obfuscation, and more outright lying about the subject of race than any other subject in contemporary US life. To begin with, there is only one race, the human race—there is no black, brown, red, yellow, or white race. To talk about “race” coherently, we need to recognize our African heritage, and the role of colonialism and white supremacy in world history. We also need to understand its role in social control: “race” is a social construction by the economically and politically powerful, and skin color, facial structure, hair texture, the slanting of the eyes, etc., all have sociological implications that affect each of us, albeit differentially. Immigration status, too, has social implications. How do we sort all of this information out? This talk will conclude with a discussion of contemporary racial discrimination in the US, distinguishing individual from institutional racism.