Discussion Series to Continue Campus Dialogue on Social Injustices and Solidarity

This semester, the College of the Holy Cross will be hosting a four-part discussion series, titled “Campus Conversations: Social Justice and Solidarity – Community Voices Heard,” aimed to address the complex issues that have surfaced between law enforcement, and the legal and justice systems as they relate to the black community. These dialogues continue the larger conversations happening at the national level around the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

In keeping with the College’s Mission inviting all members of the community to join in dialogue around issues of justice, this series will include panel discussions featuring members of the Holy Cross community, as well as community leaders from Worcester and Boston. The goal of the series is to offer an informative, balanced, and multi-perspective response to the issues addressed.

The first panel discussion, titled “PART I, Black Males: Vulnerability and Victimization,” took place on Sept. 30 and featured representatives from the Department of Public Safety, the Worcester County District Attorney Office, the local Attorney General Office, and the Department of Justice Boston office. The panel also included Don Xenos '82, assistant district attorney for Worcester County, and Lance Madden '18. It was moderated by Michael West, associate professor of history.

The second panel discussion, titled “Part II, Black Females: Invisible and Voiceless,” was held on Oct. 29 and addressed viewpoints on issues affecting black females. The panel included: Virginia Coakley, associate chaplain and director of Protestant and ALANA ministries at the College; Yvesh’a Bellevue ’16; Gloria D. Hall, historic preservation researcher and interpreter; Brianna Turner ’11, CBMI coordinator and outpatient clinician at the Multicultural Wellness Center; and April English, deputy division chief, insurance and unemployment fraud division, at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. It was moderated by Kendra Fulwood, visiting assistant English professor at the College.

The third panel discussion, titled “Part III, In the Line of Fire: Wearing the Blue,” will take place on Nov. 9 from 4 – 6 p.m. in Hogan Suites B/C, and will address law enforcement issues impacting the black community. The discussion will begin with opening remarks from Melissa F. Weiner, associate professor of sociology, titled “Race and Policing: A Brief History,” followed by conversation between the panelists and attendees.

The semester-long series will continue with the following program:

  • Monday, Nov. 30: PART IV, The Black Community: Where Do We Go From Here?

The events are sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Education and are open to the campus community. For more information, please contact Mable Millner, associate dean of students for diversity and inclusion and director of the office of multicultural education, at 508-793-2669.