We are living in a moment in which significant tensions exist between law enforcement and communities of color. Of course, these tensions are not simply a product of our time. There is a history of racism in policing; and as a consequence of that history and based on the lived experiences of people of color, many communities of color bear a deep distrust of the police. At the same time, law enforcement personnel sometimes feel besieged and isolated as police officers attempt to meet their duty to protect and serve many different communities. The issue has taken on added urgency most recently with the deaths of a long list of people of color following interactions with the police, as well as the deaths of police officers in Dallas and other cities this past year. This year’s Provost Forum brought together participants from multiple vantage points including activists, scholars, and police officers to help us better understand the problem in its full complexity; provide insights on the nature of police and civilian interactions; help us appreciate the impact on marginalized communities that are experiencing racial violence through the media; offer us a process for achieving justice between sometimes oppositional communities; and point us toward potential solutions. For those who are looking for a way to make a difference in our current environment, this Forum could provide you with some options. We encourage you to view footage from each panel linked below.
Friday, March 3, 2017
8:50am: |
WELCOME |
9:00am: |
Understanding the Problem Carol Anderson, Charles Howard Candler Professor, African American Studies, Emory University |
10:30am: | BREAK |
10:45am: |
Dissecting Police and Civilian Interactions Barry Friedman, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law; Affiliated Professor of Politics; Director, Policing Project; New York University |
12:15pm: | BREAK (Pick up lunch. First come, first served.) |
12:30pm: |
Living the Aftermath: Parents’ Perspective Michael Brown, Sr., The Michael Brown Foundation: Chosen for Change |
1:15pm: |
BREAK |
1:30pm: |
Visualizing the Impact of Racial Violence Zaina Alsous, Organizer, Durham Beyond Policing Campaign |
3:00pm: | BREAK |
3:15pm: |
Obtaining Justice and Balancing Power Valerie Cooper, Associate Professor of Religion and Society and Black Church Studies, Duke Divinity School |
4:45pm: | BREAK |
5:00pm: |
Constructing Solutions Tracie Keesee, Deputy Commissioner, NYPD
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6:30pm: | Forum Concludes |
The Forum is organized by a university-wide steering committee composed of staff, faculty, and students, and sponsored by the Office of the Provost. The committee members are: Sara Sun Beale, Ajenai Clemmons, Christena Cleveland, James E. Coleman, Jr., William Darity, Jr., Courtney Reid Eaton, Kiah Glenn, Lisa Kern Griffin, Kerry Haynie, Wesley Hogan, Shajuti Hossain, Camille Jackson, Taylor Jones, Amanda Lacoff, Stephanie Lowd, Mark Anthony Neal, Katina Parker, Corey Pilson, and Quinton Smith.