Melissa Harris-Perry, the writer, professor and television host, leads a stellar line up of speakers, films, discussions, and performances planned for Rethinking Race, UA's annual examination of race issues.
The events extend through Feb. 13.
"When we are planning Rethinking Race, many times what's happening in the news shapes the speakers and topics chosen," said Dr. Amy Shriver Dreussi, Rethinking Race co-chair with Chief Diversity Officer Lee Gill. "Many events this year incorporate Ferguson, Tamir Rice and state of the relationship between African-Americans and police departments."
Harris-Perry is expected to touch on those issues during her Feb. 2 lecture.
In addition, Dr. Stephen Brooks, associate professor of political science, will lead a Face-2-Face Conversation about "the talk" about how to handle interractions with police officers it occurs more in African American households, but less so in white households.
Also, the "Talking About Ferguson" Face-2-Face Conversation will give students and others a chance to participate in an in-depth conversation about the tensions that followed the death of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Mo.
► See all the Face-2-Face Conversations planned | See all speakers
Film festival
Rethinking Race includes a film festival with 12 movies and documentaries.
"We have a great slate of films this year as usual," Dreussi said. "We have this tendency as a society to view this issue of race as being only black and white. The film festival this year goes beyond that, with documentaries about the Japanese internment camps, how Latinos are depicted in the news media and what it's like to be Muslim in America."
In addition, "Dear White People," a comedic social satire film, follows the lives of four black students attending a predominately white Ivy League college. Tensions are brought to light when white students on campus throw a controversial yet popular blackface themed party. See the movie schedule.
Tour of city
Rethinking Race also provides a rare opportunity to tour the John Brown House. City historian Dave Lieberth will lead a trolley tour of Akron highlighting individuals and locations significant to Akron’s African American history, including the John Brown monument and the John Brown House. More about the tour.
Impact on students
Assessment of Rethinking Race events over the eight years have shown that attendees overwhelmingly think that the topics are meaningful, that the events were thought-provoking and that an enhanced understanding of race issues will facilitate career success.
"At the core, Rethinking Race is pretty simple," Dreussi said. "It's a series of events for interaction, discussion and education—lots of safe spaces for honest conversations. No pyrotechnics or anything like that. Yet it's impact is enormous. Attitudes change and lives are changed."
Story by Lauren Collins
Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu
