Example Of Race AND Ethnicity Symposium-How To Talk About Race Essay

Opening Plenary-Keynote

Dr. Aaron Thompson, Executive Vice-President & Chief Academic Officer
Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education
The speaker’s overarching purpose was to set the ball rolling and highlight the thematic areas of the Symposium. The focus of Thompson’ address was on the issue of cultural relativity and the underlying conflicts.
In summary, according to Thompson, there are various aspects of culture that people should look into when addressing the issue of race and the society. There is need to evaluate the rules pertaining to the concept and the contrasting realities. These rules are either explicit or implicit. The realities about race relations can be established by looking at what each race views as values, success and failure. The values cannot be explicit not ideal values. Issues like race conceptualization and beliefs also play major roles in cultural relationships.
The speech was positive. The most interesting part of the address relates to the varied differences on how to define success. The relativity makes it even difficult to separate heroes from villains. I learned that issues like personal feelings, interpretations, perceptions, and individual thoughts affects how race is viewed. One needs to apply the ATH concept of –action, awareness acknowledgement and, acceptance in dealing with the race challenges. I also learned that moral rationalizations and culture competence can help resolve race based conflict. I would ask Thompson how the concept of Cultural action would be in a bid to recognize the racial differences in American politics and how to respond to them

Plenary I-Race and the Community: Does Race Matter?

Kelvin King-Professor of English, Lawson State Community College, Birmingham AL
The speaker’s overarching purpose was to look into the issue of race and the community and the entrenchment of cultural perceptions and stereotypes about race.
In summary, he argued there are many implication s of race stereotypes. The way the media frames the black is wrong. He also argued that racism is in American DNA Social media. The speech also looked at the indications of race stereotype. He looked at the issue of living in color and celebrities. He introduced the audience to the way the media portrays Jenifer Lopez and her white long hair and Queen Latifa and he dress.
Two contrasting images of Jay Z one is a suit (corporate image) and another in chains and rings (image of black gangster.
The speech was positive and based on facts. From the speech, it evident that race stereotypes are common in America and the media fuels the myth. the portrayal is embedded on the issue of body and sex, what people see as proper to wear and what makes one to be labeled as either as beast or sexy. I also realized that we can correct these stereotypes by learning to communication across races. I would however ask him how to address the issues in a situation where tension exists. From the speech, I also learned that many Americans have a certain kind of mixed color and racial inheritance. He emphasized that all this does not bar him from being a black man.
His next main point was that race is not about biological make up but a social ideology of how people understand others on the grounds of their biology. My other question would be how Do we celebrate race in a deeply divided society?

Plenary II –Race and Education: Where do we go from here?

Sherron Jackson-CPE Senior Policy Advisor, Former Assistant Vice President, Finance and EEO,Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education (CPE)
The speaker's overarching purpose was to discuss the issue of race and education.
In summary, the speaker argued that in terms of education and race, experiences are very crucial. While race is an issue in education, a lot have changed. The experiences we have help in evaluating the success of the education reform he also argued that personality and faith play a key role in addressing the issues of race and education. The Committee on Equal Opportunities is some of the successes of race and education in America. Since 70s and 60s, civil war circumstances have changed in education.
The speech was positive though the speaker had challenges with diction and clarity. He clearly explained how experiences help us to achieve education goals. I learned that in terms of race and education, what makes success is the education outcome. I would however ask him his views on the proposed amendments of the No Child Left behind Act by the senate.

Plenary III- Race & Politics: Are we ready for what is next?

Wendell Thomas-Sergeant of Arms Kentucky Senate-Retired, Member Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education Committee on Equal Opportunities
Wendell Thomas-Sergeant of Arms Kentucky Senate-Retired, Member Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education Committee on Equal Opportunities
The speaker's overarching purpose was to relate the issue of race and politics in America. In summary, he argued that you are responsible for what you do and race issue is not somebody’s individual problem. It is a collective issue. However, issues like, war on terror in places like Mississippi create bad attitude and political tensions. He decried the lack of political participation at the community levels. many Americans, according to him do not know their political leaders yet they vote. According to Wendell, many Americans vote but do not know the leaders. Such people are not different from those who disrespect the president . He also gave history of America when as a republican he took part in community efforts to address issues of race and ethnicity. This shows how the participation of the black race led to development in America.
The speech was very positive. It is my best so for. The argument that voters need to do research on reps, reach out to them even at the Capitol shows that voters need to be involved in politics. It also true that tax help build universities and students have to hold the leaders to account. It is true that the society benefits now and in the future if things are done in transparent and open manner. I also liked he challenge on the audience. He argued that talking about race in a lecture hall is different from the outside experience like nurse working with people of different cultures. The remarks that understanding and respect make us stronger is very inspiring. As such, conservation is necessary and the color of the skin should not be issue. I would however ask him his perceptions on how race is reflected in the American voting patterns.