“Racism, History, and Lessons for White People” was the title of a recent lecture sponsored by Common Ground and the Center for Civic Engagement. It featured Dr. Eric Yellin of the UR History Department speaking about his research on African-American federal employees in the Woodrow Wilson administration. Fifty-nine people attended, but not before the CCE heard many concerns and questions about the event title.
Given that the discussion and lecture focused on Dr. Yellin’s research, people who came to talk about what the title meant to them may not have had a chance to speak. So here is your chance. Please use this forum to discuss the title or the lecture or any related concerns, including any feelings that might have been raised for you.
Let us start things off with a little background. Simply put, the Common Ground staff came up with the title because, in our experience
1. White people are less likely than people of color to see race as an issue that needs attention.
2. Consequently, white people are likely to think that public presentations or discussions focused on race are primarily about and for people of color.
We at Common Ground think that everyone has more to learn about race, and our selection of the title in this case was simply our attempt to encourage more white people to join in the discussion.
Having said that, we welcome you to tell us what you thought.
On a different note, please let us know your suggestions for other topics for this on-line discussion forum.
