9:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Plenary 1: Future of Racial Justice
From rebuilding the Gulf to the fight for affirmative action, Winona LaDuke, Juan Gonzales, Angela Glover Blackwell and Rinku Sen chart a course through the issues that latter for racial justice in the 21st century.
Summary:
http://www.racewire.org/archives/2007/03/the_future_of_racial_justice_p.htm
HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS You wanted to ask:
--What policies and pieces of legislation would be most effective in addressing the problem of "baked in" racism?
--With a generation that throws black face parties and doesn't understand why this is offensive, how do you make real to them the racism in their society as something that still affects them and that they can do something about?
--Is there a strategy to tap this "ill-gotten" wealth without having to capitulate to corporate values and clearly articulate the values of human rights and dignity?
--How are today's immigrants of color being recruited into the project of white supremacy and anti-black/native racism?
--What are the key strategies we should be employing to build a mass movement to advance the itnerests of poor communities of color?
--How do we change the language and understanding of racism in seeking legal redress against "baked-in racism"?
--
That was the most incredible, rich, empowering (and...) panel discussion I have ever witnessed. Even if I didn't attend another session, that plenary was worth the trip. Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmmmmm.
This plenary was the perfect way to open this wonderful conference on racial issues. Like warming up before a long day of excersise, it set the tone for the day and personally, set my wheels turning.