The death of George Floyd, the injuring of Jacob Blake and many other African Americans who have been subjects of police violence, has moved people of all races and ethnicities throughout the world to respond to these atrocities with determination that their deaths will mark the beginning of an end to the long and tragic history of racial injustice. Large crowds of peaceful protestors in communities across the nation have demanded a change not only in police practices but in our nation’s priorities as a democratic society that demonstrates respect for all lives. 

The Community Engagement Initiative is committed to supporting these changes by applying the knowledge, creativity and civic commitment of the University of Delaware to the critical challenges facing communities in Delaware and across the nation. No community challenge is more critical now than securing equal justice. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the Community Engagement Initiative will provide programming and resources designed to provide solutions to current racial inequities in our local and global communities. The broad range of projects demonstrate the many ways UD is collaborating in and with community partners to create a more just and inclusive world.

Moderators: Alison Parker and Lynnette Overby Co-Chairs, UD Antiracism Initiative

Panelists:

• Ted Davis, Professor, Political Science & International Relations
• James Jones, Trustees Distinguished Professor Emeritus Psychological and Brain Sciences & Africana Studies & Director, Center for the Study of Diversity
• Norma Gaines-Hanks, Associate Professor and Human Services Internship Coordinator
• Ronald Whittington, Former Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Affirmative Action
• Lynnette Overby, Department of Theatre, Deputy Director, Community Engagement Initiative

As the first event in the series, “Race and Racism at University of Delaware” aims to ascertain where the University stood in the past regarding race and racism, with an eye toward understanding where the University is today The panelists will provide an historical view, from their perspectives, of how race, race relations, and racism have evolved on the University of Delaware’s campus. They will also address what issues are still unresolved and how we can address them in the future.