Newswise — Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the University of Mississippi's integration, the moving events of Oct. 1, 2002, were an emotional milestone in the institution's 155-year history. The university revisits that landmark one year later with a four-day conference exploring racial reconciliation in international contexts.
The International Conference on Race, hosted by the UM William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, marks the conclusion of the yearlong Open Doors observance, devoted to recognizing the courage of James Meredith and others who have worked for inclusion and greater opportunity and access to higher education.
The conference, which features speakers and panelists from three continents, shifts the focus from observing history to working for racial progress in the present and future, said Susan Glisson, director of the Winter Institute.
"We understand that our work today is built on the sacrifices and struggle of thousands of people over the past 40 years," Glisson said. "It is our responsibility to keep this work going and to lead the way in reconciliation efforts."
Set for Oct. 1-4, the event features panel discussions and workshops examining how local action-oriented initiatives resolve conflict around the world.
The conference opens Wednesday, Oct. 1, with a community dinner in the Circle and opening address by Nicholas Katzenbach, former deputy U.S. attorney general under President John F. Kennedy. Katzenbach accompanied U.S. marshals to campus in 1962 to enforce the admission of Meredith to the university, and this is his first visit to campus since.
The occasion mirrors the Open Doors opening day dinner on Oct. 1, 2002, attended by more than 2,500 people. Tickets for the dinner are $3 each through the UM Central Ticket Office.
The Thursday sessions include workshops and panel discussions designated as "teach-ins."
"The idea is for educators to come and learn how to teach about race," Glisson said. "We really encourage educators from all levels to come and take advantage of this."
Civil rights icon Rev. James Lawson delivers the keynote address Friday, Oct. 3. Lawson met Martin Luther King Jr. in 1956 as a student at Oberlin College's graduate school of theology and soon began working with King in key Southern cities. Lawson has lectured and taught at several universities and worked for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the nation's largest, oldest interfaith peace group.
The Friday and Saturday sessions include panel discussions on defining and undoing racism; reconciliation and community coalitions; reconciliation and health care; religion, race and reconciliation; and reconciliation in Australia and Southern Africa. Presenters for the sessions include:- Michael Levine, professor of philosophy at the University of Western Australia who is a visiting professor at Barunch College, City University of New York. He has published articles in many philosophical journals and is co-editor of the book "Racism in Mind: Philosophy and Racism." - Mrunalini Thyagarajan, a doctoral candidate in organizational psychology at Alliant International University who is involved in several organizations that promote non-violent communications, education and human rights development.- Luz Borrero, executive director of the Southern Regional Council, which seeks to promote racial justice, protect democratic rights and broaden civic participation in the South.- Meredith Gould, a doctoral candidate at Nova Southeastern University who is involved with teaching diversity, anger management, violence prevention and intercultural communications to high school students and teenage offenders.- Robin Rockhold, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the UM Medical Center and program director for Base Pair, a program to provide research mentors for students in the Jackson Public School District.- Gerald Yutrzenka, director of minority affairs at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine who is involved in several student affairs and minority recruitment programs.- Rev. Michele Ellison, founder and president of Good News Unlimited Faith Links, an organization that encourages and equips lay people and clergy in social ministries.- Okolo Rashid, a community activist and co-founder and executive director of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures.- Sarah Asplin, a senior at the University of Denver who is earning a double major in international and women's studies and has traveled to South Africa to research the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.- Busani Mpofu, an economics and history student at the University of Zimbabwe who has taught in the Lupanda Secondary School and researched the social and economic history of the region.- Heidi Norman, an indigenous Austrialian who teaches at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology in Sydney and developed the first course on reconciliation taught at an Australian university.
The conference moves the university to the forefront in international dialogue on racial reconciliation efforts, UM Chancellor Robert Khayat said.
"Although the events of 1962 are painful and regrettable, we have built on that experience and have incorporated into the culture of Ole Miss the basic value of respect for the dignity of every individual," Khayat said. "It is appropriate at this time, given the changes that have occurred both in this state and at this university, that we reach out to others engaged in this crucial issue. It is incumbent upon all of us to share the lessons we have learned and to build global networks to reinforce the work."
For more information or to register for the conference, contact Glisson at 662-915-6727 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information on Open Doors, see the Web site at http://www.olemiss.edu/opendoors. For more on the Institute or to register for the conference, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/winterinstitute.
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