Semester events highlight issues of race, justice

The University of Tennessee College of Law will host a number of events throughout the Spring 2021 semester that will highlight issues of race and social justice. 

Professors Wendy Bach and Val Vojdik, who lead the College of Law Community and Inclusion committee, announced the list of events this week – in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday – and encourage the College of Law community to take part in discussions of interest to them.

The events provide an opportunity for to examine the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 “We appreciate the efforts of so many faculty, staff, and students who have come together to make this series of events a reality,” Vojdik said.

Here are the events planned for the College of Law and UTK:

Jan. 25, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m via Zoom.: 
Dialogue Across Difference, a presentation by Professor Joe Miles from the UT Department of Psychology. Miles specializes in intergroup dialogue and will share strategies and tools to enable law students, lawyers and members of our community to listen and communicate across difference.

Jan. 28, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m via Zoom.: 
Critical Conversations On Race: Invisible Workers, Unpacking a Legacy of Injustice and Exploitation, a presentation hosted by the UT College of Law Legal Clinic.  

Feb. 1, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom
A Dedication to the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 6 and Its Impact on Our Community, a forum hosted by The Committee on Community and Inclusion to reflect on the events that took place at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, 2021.  Participants will be invited to join breakout discussion groups.

Feb. 11, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Critical Conversation on Race: Racism and Anti-Racism in Corporate America, a presentation hosted by the UT College of Law Legal Clinic.  

Feb. 16, March 16 and April 13: 
RoundTable Talks discussions of current events hosted by the College of Law Student Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

Feb. 23, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. via Zoom (time is tentative): 
RGSJ Rethinking Rentry Symposium, a virtual symposium hosted by the Tennessee Journal of Gender, Race, and Social Justice. Discussions will address the challenges facing Tennessee citizens as they reenter civil society following incarceration. The symposium will feature Cyntoia Brown Long as the College of Law’s annual Rose Lecturer.

March 11, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Critical Conversations on Race: Redlining and Its Legacy, a presentation hosted by the UT College of Law Legal Clinic

April 15, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Critical Conversations on Race: Moving Forward, a presentation hosted by the UT College of Law Legal Clinic.