Diversity and Inclusion

Critical Race Theory and the Interest Divergence Dilemma

Thursday, March 7 | 7 p.m.
Warch Campus Cinema

The Division of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Sustainability Services at Lawrence University presents the 2023-24 Community Conversations Series: Tales of Challenge, Resistance, and Persistence.

In this talk, Dr. Victor Ray draws on two central critical race theory concepts: racial progress narratives and interest convergence to explain the current backlash. Ideas from critical race theory can explain the recent uproar over this insurgent body of knowledge, in opposition to mainstream notion of inevitable progress, critical race theorists see racial progress as fragile and contingent. And some political actors are pushing the United States toward a period of interest divergence. As some white Americans increasingly see their interests as fundamentally different from those of their nonwhite fellow citizens.

Dr. Ray is the F. Wendell Miller Associate Professor in the Departments of Sociology and Criminology and African American Studies at the University of Iowa and a Nonresident Fellow in Government Studies at The Brooklyn Institution, and a Carr Center Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

We invite you, the Lawrence faculty and staff, in joining us in embracing diversity and celebrating Disability Awareness Week.

The Disability Awareness events for the week will be a time to come together and create a community where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.

If you would be interested in wearing a t-shirt, please complete the Form by March 15.

It is our goal to have you, our Lawrence faculty, and staff, provide support by wearing our Disability Awareness t-shirt on Friday April 5.

Please note that these items are limited!

On behalf of Accessibility Services and the I.D.E.A.S Division

Tuesday, March 5 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Virtual Link
Message ID: 490 300 1737

VIRTUAL EVENT – Join our incredible panelists as they delve into their experiences as women in business. Learn about the nuances and impacts of gender and implications for the future of women in business.

This panel features:

• Dr. Claudena Skran, Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program at LU
• Karen Bussone, Professor of Practice at LU
• Nilimini Hecox ’98, Global Real Estate Advisor at LIV Sotheby’s International Realty
• Dr. Tiffany Tardy, President & CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, Inc.

Presented by I.D.E.A.S.

Monday, March 4 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Wriston Art Galleries

Dasha Kelly Hamilton is a writer, performance artist, curator and facilitator and 2020-2022 Poet Laureate for the State of Wisconsin. This event is part of Black Feminist Fortnight (IDEAS) and supported by a grant from Art Bridges.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Wriston Art Galleries

Come relax and listen to N.K. Jemisin short fiction from “How Long ‘Til Black Future Month?” The first 30 folks will receive a paperback copy of the book.

Part of the Black Feminist Fortnight Programs. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

Documentary Film + Director Q&A

Friday, March 1 | 7-10 p.m.
Wriston Auditorium

Director Jennifer Lin will present her 2020 documentary film Beethoven in Beijing. The event is open to the Lawrence community as well as the greater public, and will include a director’s Q&A.

Thursday, Feb. 22 | 4:30 p.m.
Wriston Art Center

Also a showing of The Donnor Party, a creative commentary on colonization
Reception with refreshments to follow.

Part of Black Feminist Fortnight programs, generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

Monday, Feb. 26 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Wriston Auditorium

Come listen to our faculty and staff discuss the importance of Black History in the United States. We look forward to this discussion and to hear questions from all of you.  

• Moderator: Anna Ponder, VP for University Advancement
• Panelists:
  • Carla Daughtry, Associate Professor of Anthropology
  • Betsy Schlabach, Associate Professor of History
  • Jerald Podair, Professor of History and Robert S. French Professor of American Studies