Town of Chapel Hill

What Would it Take to Heal the Wounds of Racism in Chapel Hill?

Justice in Action Committee Event

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7-9 pm, Hargraves Center

Program Goals and Objectives:

1. Recognize how we in Chapel Hill take for granted our own biases and how that affects our behavior
2. Challenge our comfort zone by calling attention to how racism and predudice affect us all
3. Challenge ourselves to recognize our own perspectives and to open ourselves to the perspectives of others
4. Identify how our differences unite and bind us together
5. Explore ways to engage in racial healing in our community

Program:

• Welcome, Mayor-Elect Mark Kleinschmidt (invited)
• Introduction, Andre Wesson, Justice in Action Committee Chair
• Panel Discussion of "What Would It Take to Heal the Wounds of Racism in Chapel HIll?" 
  Participants include:
  • Tony Asion, Executive Director, El Pueblo
  • Takiyah Baptist, Teacher, Ephesus Elementary School
  • Chris Blue, Assistant Chief, Chapel Hill Police Department
  • Jan Boxill, Director, Parr Center for Ethics
  • Augustus Cho, Mayoral Candidate 2009
  • Kevin Hicks, Chapel Hil-Carrboro NAACP
  • CJ Suitt, Coach of the Sacrificial Poets
  • Vanessa Oniboni, V-day Activist and Director of Warmikunaq
• Community Dialogue and Question and Answer Session, Moderated by Dan Pollitt, Kenan Professor of Law Emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Community "Brainstorming" Session, Facilitated by Members of the Justice in Action Committee

Abstract:

The Fairth and Politics Institute and The Search for Common Ground held a national racial healing workshop that addressed the question, "What would it take to heal the wounds of racisim in America?"  This question is important not only at the national level, but also at the local level.  The Justice in Action Committee chose the question, "What would it take to heal the wounds of racisim in Chapel Hill?", to help our community identify paths for racial healing and concrete strategies for reducing racism and prejudice. 

Six invited panelists will deliver a five minute prepared response to the question, " What would it take to heal the wounds of racism in Chapel Hill?".  These response will be followed by a brief intra-panel question and answer session.  Once completed, the audience will be invited to ask questions and to make contributions to the dialouge.  Throughout the discussion, Justice in Action Committee members will be recording suggestions for racial healing on large pieces of paper posted around the auditorium.  After the event, audience members will be invited to add suggestions to the pieces of paper.  The suggestion will be used in the planning of a follow-up event. 

Background Information:

The mission of the Justice in Action Committee is "To adequately and effectively reflect the Town of Chapel Hill's integrity and commitment to preserving racial, economic, and social justice within the community."  In 2008, the Committee discussed ways to re-energize and expand their work.  This is the third of a series of community events hosted by the Justice in Action Committee.  The success of the Committee's work depends upon community involvement and input.  Please share your ideas for Chapel Hill's future with us.  If you have future program ideas and/or are interested in getting involved with the Justice in Action Committee, please contact our staff liasion, Mark Bayles at mbayles@townofchapelhill.org. 

We want to thank those who support our events with their attendance.  You make our community a better place!

Media Contacts:

Andre Wesson, Justice in Action Committee Chair:  (919) 843-8917
Emily Kelahan, Justice in Action Institutitional Racism Sub-Committee Chair:  (919) 537-8027

Listening Sessions Announcement