Past Meetings

​Thirty Ninth Meeting
Our member, Connie Talmage, and the Colorado Lawyers Comittee Hate Crimes Education Steering Committee will be adapting their terrific, highly interactive program on Hate Crimes for the SOR: "Since 1993, Colorado Lawyers Committee volunteers have presented trials to middle and high school students based on a fictional case arising from a violation of Colorado’s Hate/Bias-Motivated Crimes Statute (formerly the Ethnic Intimidation Statute). At the conclusion of the trial, small discussion groups of students act as jurors to discuss the issues presented and, with the assistance of an adult facilitator, reach a verdict. The students become very engaged in discussing diversity in their community, and learn the value of preventing the spread of racial slurs and hateful acts."
​
​Thirty Eighth Meeting
Our member, Elycia Cook, and her panel of youth and adult mentors will be presenting on:
​"The Importance of Mentoring: Friends First."
Friends First focuses on peer-to-peer mentoring, teaching high school youth to mentor middle school students, with the mentors and mentees gaining confidence and skills to acheive future success.
This will be a fun and interactive presentation and discussion!

Thirty Seventh Meeting
How to Be an Ally for Racial Justice
Ann Jenrette-Thomas
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
STINSON LLP
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 2600
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Direct: 612.335.1873  \  Bio<https://www.stinson.com/people-AnnJenrette-Thomas>
STINSON.COM<http://www.stinson.com>

Thirty Sixth Meeting
"Voices of Our Youth: How Race Impacts the Newest Generation," A Panel Moderated by Lana Hailemariam.The Symposium on Race cares deeply about the state of race in this country. As such, we have prioritized youth voice in our values, recognizing that young people have a lot to teach, a different perspective, and are our best bet to carry on this work. That said, we have not done enough to regularly envelope them into our spaces. Well, in November, that will change! We will host a small panel of Middle and High Schoolers who will share their ideas, thoughts and hopes for the current racial climate they are navigating. They will also be very clear about how we can support, encourage and engage them in this work. You may be very surprised by what they have to say... 

Thirty Fifth Meeting
The Black and Blue: A conversation with our officers. A panel of police officers will participate in an intimate conversation sharing their human side and the struggles they face as officers of the law.
Panelists:
Ms. Valmy Howard, Patrol Officer, Denver
Mr. Darren Viner, Phoenix Police Department – Commander
Mr. Randy Royal, Sgt., Denver
Mr. Brent Curtis, Denver
Jimmy Sheppard, Det., Denver
Moderators: Wayne Vaden and Tuneishia Harris

Thirty Fourth Meeting
Marching for Justice..from Colorado to Alabama and back..the struggle for civil and human rights in our state. Sheldon Steinhauser who just turned 90 has been a fierce advocate for civil rights in Colorado all his life. As former director of the Anti Defamation League's mountain States Region, whose mission was and is to fight anti-Semitism and secure Justice and fair treatment for all people, he was part of an interfaith coalition who, after witnessing on TV the horrors of bloody Sunday'; flew down to Alabama to take part in the march from Selma to Montgomery. He was instrumental in the passage of the Colorado fair housing act, a founder of LaRasa, and worked with Wilma Webb to make MLK day a holiday in this state.  Shelly,  as he is known in the community, will talk about  the struggle for civil rights In the state of Colorado from the 1960s until the present, the triumphs over the years and The work that still needs to be done.
Here is a link to an article about Shelly: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/pharmacy/former-cu-skaggs-school-of-pharmacy-development-director-reflects-on-marching-in-selma

​Thirty Third Meeting
Examining Policing Through A Historical Lens   The presentation is a historical look at how police officers came about in the United States.  It starts roughly 400 years ago, explains the connection to its European roots, discusses some of the differences in law enforcement’s evolution based on the region of the country (e.g., in the North versus in the South), and onward into what many of us understand as today’s police officers.  The presentation incorporates aspects of race, gender, class, politics, and economics, amongst other topics.  
(Please read: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/07/20/the-invention-of-the-police). 
Joseph R. Whitfield 18th JD Dist Atty's Office.    
Joseph Whitfield, Esq. is a Deputy District Attorney for the Office of the District Attorney for the 18thJudicial District. There he prosecutes felony cases in a variety of different areas including Assault, Weapons, Forgery, Drug Distribution, and Homicide. He is a member of the office's Vehicular Homicide Unit, and works with law enforcement, members of the defense bar, investigators, and victims of crime. Prior to joining the District Attorney's Office, Mr. Whitfield had a career in business and technology. He would later clerk for the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, handling a variety of cases including Human Trafficking, Intellectual Property, Organized Crime, and Public Corruption. Mr. Whitfield has served in a variety of leadership positions including as a Committee Chair for the NAACP Aurora Colorado Chapter, President of the Sam Cary Bar Association of Colorado, Vice President of the board for Highline Academy Charter Schools, as a Commissioner on the Uniform Law Commission (Colorado Delegation), and as an Instructor with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). Mr. Whitfield received both his J.D. and LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Technology Law from the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.

Thirty Second meeting 
Thanks again to Kenzo Kawanabe for our terrific Zoom Symposium on July 8, 2020: “The Rise of Anti-Asian American Hate Incidents, and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them.” 

Thirty First Meeting
We also actually want to have a Zoom Symposium on June 12, 2020 at 5pm. Al Harrell has organized the following important discussion: What does the Covid-19 world have in common with The Sand Creek Massacre? "Last week I attended a presentation by two women from the state legislature in Wyoming. One of the speakers was a registered member of the North Arapaho Nation: Representative Andrea “Andi” Clifford. The second speaker was Representative Sara Burlingame. The presentation was about the Sand Creek Massacre. The Sand Creek massacre (also known as the Chivington massacre, the battle of Sand Creek or the massacre of Cheyenne Indians) was a massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho people by the U.S. Army on November 29, 1864. The site of the massacre was in Colorado Territory near Kiowa. They will be presenting to our Symposium on Race on June 12, 2020, for all who wish to attend. 
​
Thirtieth Meeting 
Professor  Karey James, Esquire, and her students at CCD, gave a terrific discussion of: The Color of Law 
In The Color of Law (published by Liveright in May 2017), Richard Rothstein argues with exacting precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America—the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and has contributed to so much recent social strife—is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
The full movie is on youtube
 
https://youtu.be/WJ0IMTA640E  
​
Twenty Ninth Meeting
Professors Richard Niemeyer and Karey James will discuss: "Creating spaces of change to deal with the psychological and biological consequences of racism" (the health effects of repeated experiences of racialized trauma and economic inequality and the role that plays in the criminal justice system). Here are the links:

1). "Why the myth of meritocracy hurts kids of color", M. D. Anderson
Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/07/internalizing-the-myth-of-meritocracy/535035/
2). "Why are black students punished so often? Minnesota confronts a national quandary", by E. L. Green
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/18/us/politics/school-discipline-disparities-white-black-students.html
3). "Racism hurts", by K. Kowalski 
Link: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/racism-hurts

Twenty Eight Meeting:
Our first 2020 Symposium is January 8, 2020, the second Wednesday, from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.    The topic will be: "The Truth About the Confederacy in the United States." John and Emily Baker and Hon. Chris Cross will be presenting. 
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOPGpE-sXh0 

Twenty Seventh Meeting: Holiday Potluck!
DECEMBER SYMPOSIUM ON RACE: POT LUCK DINNER ON DECEMBER 11, 2019 AT THE HOME OF BETSY CRANE. COME MEET AND GET TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS (children who are old enough to participate in a Symposium on Race conversation are also welcome). Feel free to wear casual holiday attire! ADMISSION: 1 DISH ( feeds 3 – 4).
All are also invited to bring a tax-deductible donation (cash or check) to St. John’s Lutheran Church to say “Thank You” for another year of hosting our Symposium on Race.

Twenty Sixth Meeting:
Symposium on Race Denver
Second Year End Organizing Meeting
November 2019
1.         New Ideas:
 
a.         Calendar at least 4 months of Symposiums in advance, so folks can be sure they can attend.
 
b.         Have more discussions based on movies/videos/Ted Talks; discussions and sharing ideas with other are the most important aspects of the Symposium (Movies mentioned include “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Harriet,” “American Son,” “The Truth About the Confederacy,” etc.)
 
c.         Schedule field trips outside of the regular monthly discussions if folks want to attend them (to movies, plays, events in the community such as CO Women’s Hall of Fame Dinner inducting Velveeta Howell, trips to a local Mosque, the Smithsonian museums in D.C. or the Lynching Museum in Alabama).
 
d.         Include more information about “The Other,” (folks and communities that are not as mainstream or who may be less known by the Symposium members, such as folks from minority religious or immigrant communities, meeting and having conversations with inmates in the Denver County jail).
 
e.         Have a “book club” or corner on “Goodreads” to allow members to recommend important/interesting/enlightening books to one another (books mentioned were “Tell Me Who You Are,” and “Between the World and Me”).
 
            f.          Seek grants to bring nationally known speakers to the Symposium.
 
2.         Ideas for future Symposia:
 
            a.         Discussion about “The Truth About the Confederacy.”
 
b.         Discussion about 100 years of Women’s suffrage during Women’s History Month.
 
            c.         Discussion of the movie “Harriet.”
 
            d.         Discussion about/with immigrant communities in the Denver metro area.
 
            e.         Discussion about disparities in medical treatment on the basis of race.
 
            f.          Discussion of musical origins, influences and impacts by Americans of color.
 
            g.         Inviting young people who have visited important civil rights museums and memorials to share and discuss their experiences.
 
3. Other issues:
 
            a.         For our next Symposium, everyone is encouraged to bring a new member, or someone who has not attended in a while.
 
            b.         Al and Angie will talk to Dion about food for future Symposia.
 
            c.         Ideas on how to improve the www.symposiumonracedenver.com website are always welcome.

Twenty Fifth Meeting:
Presenters/presentation as follows:
A person was sitting in a car in a covered residential garage very late at night. The landlord had requested that Denver police monitor the garage due to problems the building was having. Two police officers arrived at the garage as part of routine patrol, saw the car parked in a spot not assigned to that car, ran the plate, and were heard on tape to say, "the car was registered in Aurora, so we knew he didn't belong there." Two officers approached the car. Dion Jones, an African-American, would not fully roll down his window, so he was ordered out of his car. He did not move. The police officers, who were white, raised their voices, informed him he was ignoring a lawful order, again ordered him out of the car, and when he didn't, one officer yanked opened the car door. As Mr. Jones began to get out of his car, he reached back toward his backside with his right hand. The officers immediately pulled their weapons, began screaming at Mr. Jones, pulled him out of the car, and put him on the ground. Other officers arrived. The incident was caught on three body-cams. You will see the body-cam videos. Mr. Jones will relate what went through his mind when the guns were drawn. 
Were the officers' actions reasonable?  You will be asked to make the call.
David Lane, Colorado's noted civil rights lawyer, and Dion Jones will argue the actions were unreasonable. Retired Judge Christopher Cross will argue the prosecution's side that the officer's actions were reasonable. ​

Twenty Fourth Meeting
“Boogeyman: Islamophobia in the Age of Trump.” 
A Q and A format and discussion. Presenters: Hon. Don Toussaint, John Baker, Esq., and "Special Guest," Qusair Mohamedbhai, Esq., of Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC.

Twenty Third Meeting
On August 7, 2019. Michelle Sylvain and Velveta Howell presented: "Moving beyond Binary Thinking."  
Materials to read and view:
Video: 
"How We Limit Ourselves when We Think about Racism as Binary" Talk:  Race in America, https://goodmenprroject.com 
Articles:
No One Believes They're being Racist:  The Good/Bad Binary, by Sara Kim
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/no-one-believes-theyre-being-racist-the-goodbad-binary-wcz/
What are You Saying with Where are You from? to Ask about Ethnicity, by Sara Kim
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/where-are-you-really-from-wcz/ 
______________________________________________________________
Twenty-Second Meeting
​July 10, 2019: Karen Steinhauser and Karen Hester are presenting on  "Implicit Bias" as only they can!  Here are their preparation materials/comments:
"Although there are many organizations that address implicit bias, Harvard University through its partnership with the non-profit, Project Implicit, uses a platform of testing that has been on the leading edge of this issue.  As part of this month’s Race and the Law Symposium,  each participant is directed to take two tests through Project Implicit (no cost), to get a better understanding of the concept, challenges and consequences of implicit biases.  Follow the link to get to the tests.   https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
 
When you do the test, you will then receive results showing what, if any biases, you have on these subjects.  Don’t be upset or surprised by the results.  We all have biases and having an implicit bias doesn’t make you a bad person.  At the symposium, part of the time you will be in small groups discussing the results with the following questions in mind:
 
Were you surprised by the results of the bias? Why or why not? How can having this bias impact you or others in your working outside the home or non-working environment? How can you interrupt the bias? Discuss a situation where you were either a victim of, a witness to, or participant in a bias situation.  Would you handle it differently after this evening’s discussion?"

Twenty-First Meeting
Judge Addison “Spike” Adams presented on: "Interrogating Whiteness." 
"Hi, Angie!

I was just tossing about some of the things that I plan to touch upon in my presentation with Jamie, and she remarked,” Sounds like it’s going to be heavy.” It will be, particularly, when I quote from a book or newspaper article. So, regardless of what race one identifies with, selected readings could be challenging for some people to hear. 
Again the talk is, “ Interrogating Whiteness.”  I only need to highlight ugly moments in the history we call American by bringing those shameful moments to light. It will be up to folks to process what they hear and that, hopefully, will be accomplished in breakout groups."

A few videos of interest:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZUBX_nY_0 History of White People
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pqlD-eZm1ck  Black Face: A Cultural History of a Racist Art Form
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TM6ehzu3p4c Birth of a White Nation
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8iZDapgQdFo. Why White People are called Caucasians 
Being Black and German https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pcfPVj5qR1E 
An article worth reading!
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/10/the-first-white-president-ta-nehisi-coates/537909/
The First White President The foundation of Donald Trump’s presidency is the negation of Barack Obama’s legacy.

Twenteth Meeting
Our presenters were Adrian Miller, Catharyn Baird and Judge Robert (Bob) Russell
Life at the Intersection
Catharyn Baird and Bob Russell, who are in their 43rd year of an interracial marriage, facilitated a conversation about concerns and best practices for those who intentionally straddle two worlds. They were  joined by Adrian Miller, an acclaimed author and Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches, who shared his experiences and strategies for responding to those in the Black community who say that he’s “too white” and sold out. His most current example will come from the world of BBQ where he has been criticized by blacks for working with the Board of the BBQ Hall of Fame (which is way white), who want Adrian to help them to bring more pit masters of color to recognition.
 
Ninteenth Meeting 
Our April 3, 2019: Symposium on Race: "See me: A Discussion of Race by Diverse High School Students in a Predominantly White School District," Was wonderful. Thanks for joining us to talk with these wonderful, thoughtful young people.​
​
Eighteenth Meeting (This meeting was cancelled because of snow, and will be rescheduled in the next few months).
​Join us for the next Symposium on Race March 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM: "Recognizing and Interrupting Implicit Bias in Ourselves and in Others," Presented by Karen Hester and Karen Steinhauser. ​

Seventeenth Meeting (This meeting was cancelled because of snow, and will be rescheduled in the next few months)
Hello. 
Our February Symposium will be our usual first Wednesday, February 6, 2019, from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver. with (Judge) Don Toussaint, John Baker, and April Jones. They will discuss: - What brings you here? What has been your experience with race?  

Please join us in remembering our dear friend and enthusiastic member/attendee, Tony Van Westrum. Tony left us suddenly on Sunday, when he fell while hiking and taking photos near his home in Golden. His family requests, in lieu of flowers, that you leave your thoughts and memories of Tony at the following website:  https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wheat-ridge-co/anthony-van-westrum-8135609

Warm Regards,
Angie and Al

Sixteenth Meeting (Unfortunately, our presenter was sick, so we hope he will reschedule)
Hello! Final Reminder!
Our next Symposium is on 1/9/2019 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver. 
Judge Addison “Spike” Adams will be presenting on: 
Privilege, Power, and Oppression 101. 

Begin forwarded message:
From: Spike Adams 

Happy Holidays, Angie!
A few ideas for folks to consider. When you get to the NY Times video, unfortunately, brief advertisements need to be endured. Also, if no sound, you only need click the speaker icon. I may send a few more items. 

Take care,
spike

What is Privilegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD5f8GuNuGQ

A Conversation on Race: A series of short films about Identity in America https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/your-stories/conversations-on-race 

Kimberle Crenshaw - On Intersectionality- Keynote 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DW4HLgYPlA

Subject: Last Two Videos

Hi, Angie!
For those you have time and who are not "race fatigued", two more illuminating videos for self-reflection and self-awareness.

If you can obtain an overhead projector where I can display a chart or two on the wall that would be great.  Also, can I access the internet during the presentation. I might want to play a 3 minute reading by Andre Lourde?

What time do I need to arrive? I'm not eating.

White Men: Time to Understand Your Cultural Blind Spots
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR5zDIjUrfk

How Studying Privilege Systems can Strengthen Compassion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BY9UEewHw
Thank you!
spike

Fifteenth Meeting
Hello! 
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Our next Symposium is on 12/5/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
We just finished three amazing sessions with our excellent presenter Arthur MacFarlane, great-grandson of W.E.B. Du Bois, speaking on the great man’s relevance today (THANK YOU ARTHUR!!!!). All discussions were fascinating, informative, thought provoking, amazing, and challenging in the best possible way (see a follow-up note from one of our members, below). 

Our December 5, 2018 Symposium On Race at our usual time and place will be a review of our first year, and a discussion of our future! Please join us to celebrate these amazing conversations!!!!! And bring your ideas for new topics, and what we need to continue to discuss.

We will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres for all (including vegetarian and gluten-free folks) and sparkling (non-alcoholic) liquid refreshments to toast our first year.

If you wish to bring a donation, we will be contributing to St. John’s Church to thank them for our use of their community room this past year, and for their continuing support of important progressive issues and causes in the Denver Community.

Happy Holidays and Warm regards,
Angie and Al

Fourteenth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 11/7/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
Our excellent presenter will again be Arthur MacFarlane, great-grandson of W.E.B. Du Bois, speaking on the great man’s relevance today. The first discussion was fascinating. Part II was very direct, thought provoking, and challenging in the best possible way. Please join us for part III, which I am sure will be an amazing final chapter. Please don’t hesitate to join us even if you missed Part I and/or Part II. 
Please join us! 

Thirteenth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 10/3/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
Our excellent presenter will again be Arthur MacFarlane, on W.E.B. Du Bois: His relevance today. The first discussion was fascinating, and Part II promises to be excellent, also. Please don’t hesitate to join us even if you missed Part I. Arthur suggests some additional reading materials below.
The best resource on W.E.B. Du Boisis David Levering Lewis’ two-part biography. Aldon Morris’ book “A Scholar Denied" is also very good. 

Also I mentioned Traces of the Trade, the movie about the slave ship owning family (The DeWolf's). Here's a link to their website. http://www.tracesofthetrade.org
Best -Arthur"

Twelfth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 9/5/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
Our presenters will be Arthur MacFarlane on W.E.B. Du Bois: His relevance today. 
The best resource on W.E.B. Du Boisis David Levering Lewis’ two-part biography. Aldon Morris’ book “A Scholar Denied is also very good. This time period also includes the publication of Suppression of the African Slave Trade, The Philadelphia Negro and The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois.

Eleventh Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 8/1/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
We will be continuing our discussion of Race relating to people “just being there."      
Our presenters will be again be Tuneishia Harris and Lana Hailemariam, who did a fabulous job the last 2 months. 

Tenth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 7/11/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver. We will be continuing our discussion of Race relating to people shot by police, and people  “just being there."      
Our presenters will be again be Tuneishia Harris and Lana Hailemariam, who did a fabulous job last month. I am re-sending links to our materials (SEE BELOW). Please join us.!
Woman Assaulted Black Boy After Telling Him He ‘Did Not Belong’ at Pool, Officials Say
The New York Times The South Carolina woman was nicknamed Pool Patrol Paula after a viral video captured her threatening to call the police. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/us/pool-patrol-paula.html

Ninth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 6/6/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
We will be continuing our discussion of Race and Education (focusing on school discipline).  Our presenters will be Tuneishia Harris and Lana Hailemariam:
Hi Angie! Tuneishia and I have been working hard to prep for this Wednesday's symposium! We have a few items for the attendees this week so if you wouldn't mind sending this out, we would be MOST appreciative. 

ALL READING/PREP MATERIALS ARE BELOW (viewer discretion advised for Philando Castille videos):
ARTICLE: 
https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/24/us/racism-problem-cnn-kff-poll/index.html
Race & Reality in America
www.cnn.com
Roughly half of Americans say racism is "a big problem" in society today, according to a new nationwide poll conducted by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
VIDEOS: 
PHILANDO CASTILE #1 - https://youtu.be/PEjipYKbOOU
Philando Castile Police Shooting Video Livestreamed on Facebook
youtu.be
Video Live Streamed Over Facebook Shows the Moments After a Black Man Was Shot Dead By Police | The Governor of Minnesota said he believes the victim, Philan...
PHILANDO CASTILE #2 - https://youtu.be/Vd7zW4aRlYE
PHILANDO CASTILE #3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGYYZHDxfAo
Castile Family Reacts To Yanez Acquittal
www.youtube.com
Valerie Castile, Philando's mother, gave an emotional speech outside the courthouse Friday, Reg Chapman reports (2:33). WCCO 4 News At 6 – June 16, 2017
STARBUCKS #1 - https://youtu.be/8p33IWE1OLM
FULL VIDEO Of 2 Black Guys Being Arrested At Starbucks In Philadelphia LEAKED!!
youtu.be
Two black men walked into a Starbucks in downtown Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon and sat down. Officials said they had asked to use the restroom but beca...
STARBUCKS #2 - https://youtu.be/xWBVxTEgoYk
Social media video shows arrests of black men at Philadelphia Starbucks
youtu.be
Video posted to social media shows police officers arresting two black men as they sat in a Starbucks coffee shop in Philadelphia. The arrests prompted some ...
BBQ - https://youtu.be/gaivdlEBl8w
Woman Called Police for BBQing, Cries at the End (FULL VIDEO)
youtu.be
Woman Called Police for BBQing, Cries at the End (FULL VIDEO)
YALE - https://youtu.be/gFcfJr6YhxM
YALE Student Lolade Siyonbola Feared For Her Safety Went Facebook Live
youtu.be
Black student interrogated after napping at Yale: I posted video 'for my safety': EXCLUSIVE https://abcnews.go.com/US/black-student-interrogated-napping-yale...
Air BnB - https://youtu.be/JWhhGA-XeXw
Hear neighbor explain why she called 911 on black Airbnb guests
youtu.be
Guests who were staying at an Airbnb in Rialto, California, react to the reason a woman called 911 on them.
We are excited for Wednesday's Symposium! 

Eighth Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 5/2/18 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver.
  We will be continuing our discussion of Race and Education.    Our presenters will be the terrific Anthony Doane and the wonderful Connie Talmage. 
  They did such a terrific job that we are asking them for Round two. Please join us, even if you missed part one!

Seventh Meeting
Our next Symposium is on 4/4/18 at 6pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S. Franklin Street, Denver. Our presenters will be Connie Talmage and Anthony Doane. 
·         Suggested readings: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ssd2rlr2vtkxzv/Suggested%20Reading%20April%204%20Symposium%20on%20Race.pdf?dl=0
·         Additional Resources: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ajpggxmfsp3dq8m/Symposium%20on%20Race%20April%204%20Additional%20Resources.pdf?dl=0
Thanks. Connie
Constance C. Talmage, Esq.
Executive Director, Colorado Lawyers Committee

Sixth Meeting
Hi everyone. Due to Easter, we are changing our meeting location for March 7, 2018, ONLY. Our leaders will again by Chris Cross, April Jones and Melina Hernandez.
The Symposium will be 6pm to 8pm on 3/7/18 at:
Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC
The building is called Laundry on Lawrence (2701 Lawrence Street). 
Thanks to Chris Cross and Siddhartha Rathod for finding/offering the space. 
Please RSVP by 3/5/18 if you are attending and having dinner.
I am attaching the materials again, for your convenience.
Remember we are getting together for “Black” at the Curious Theatre on 2/21/18 from 6pm to 8pm (THANKS to Chris and Nancy Cross!). They will have refreshments and drinks for purchase, and will accept donations.

Fifth Meeting
Our Presenters will be Mag. Melina Hernandez, April Jones, Esq., and Hon. Chris Cross (Retired), from JAMS. Below are the links for our review this month.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Perspectives_1/Willie_Lynch_letter_The_Making_of_a_Slave.shtml
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/08/us/census-race-map.html?_r=0

Fourth Meeting
Article:  Law Enforcement and Violence:  The Divide between Black and White Americans
https://shar.es/1MKmap
Blogpost:  I, Racist
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-metta/i-racist_b_7770652.html
Podcast:  The 'Thumbprint of the Culture':  Implicit Bias and Police Shootings
https://www.npr.org/2017/06/05/531578107/the-thumbprint-of-the-culture-implicit-bias-and-police-shootings
Extra Credit-- Not required watching:  Documentary:  Baltimore Rising
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/baltimore-rising

List of Biases and Prejudices from Third Meeting:
Hello, Judge Harrell asked me to send a list of all the biases and prejudices people wrote down. Note, I drafted the below biases as they appeared on the paper, including punctuation. We would like to thank everyone again for their participation during the December Symposium. We would like everyone to continue to challenge themselves by stopping and making a note (whether physically or mentally) of your biases and prejudices as they become apparent. The more we become aware of our prejudices and biases, the more likely we can learn to manage them and not allow them cloud our judgment when it matters most:
When I am in a large group of white people, I assume a chunk of them are a little racist When I hear American people who don’t speak English very well I assume they are ignorant
I take people who are extremely overweight to be poor
I think people who smell bad are poor or uneducated
People who expect the government to always provide for them
Muslims who separate themselves from normal culture
People who are overweight
African-Americans who pronounce the word “ask” as “axe”
Youth who wear saggy pants
Arrogance – entitlement
In hiring decisions I tend to favor young people who have a disadvantage.
To prevent my bias, I do a “blind” read of the writing assignment they provide (the job is research and writing) to minimize my bias (only my finalists are asked to provide the writing)
I tend to fear white people from the southern states, fearing that they have not evolved culturally and are products of their upbringing
People from deep south
One of my biases is against white men who I presume to be rich . . . especially born rich Older white men – I assume they will be sexist
I’m white and I’m biased against white men, thinking they don’t appreciate diversity Overzealous police officers
I think a lot of well meaning white people are clueless about racism despite their good intentions
Rich people, religion people, poor people
Morbid obesity
Many tattoos
Erratic drivers (automobiles)
Not sure whether this is a bias, but I become ultra conscious of my whiteness around people of color and I sometimes feel like I overcompensate to make sure they know I’m a “good” white person. In other words, I assume automatically that that person does not like me just because of their race.
I find myself starting a description of an African-American as “Black” or “African-American” whereas with a white person I would not start with “white”
Seeing people walking sagging pants bug me makes me think that person is lazy
People of color who go to top level universities may be there because of affirmative action rather than merit
Being on a plane when two men appear to be of mideastern muslim race – concerns over safety of the plane
Young black or brown men with hoodies and sagging pants are carrying guns and are dangerous
Assume old white men who live in rural areas are conservative and racist
I have to consciously correct what I call unconscious racism which is that I assume that people of color are less educated and less well-off than I am. This  also applies to people from Oklahoma.
I met the only black man in Sturgeon Bay, WI at the YMCA this summer – I started talking trash about Trump. It turned out he supports Trump.
I view people with weight issues as some how less: less intelligent, less driven, less successful, less worthy
When I see young white male in a “Make America Great Again” hat O assume he is privilege, ignorant, and uncultured  

Third Meeting
Symposium on Race.   December 6, 2017
Hi everyone.  For this month’s Symposium on Race, we will be turning the conversation inward and having a discussion about our own fears, concerns, predispositions, and prejudices.  Not to worry however, you will not be required to raise your hand and disclose your own issues.  We will anonymously make submissions the night of (like PostSecret for those that know of it) and then have a larger discussion about our experiences and perspectives.    
There is only one podcast and two short readings for this month.  It is helpful to first listen to the podcast, then do the "knapsack" reading as the podcast mentions the reading.  The podcast is about 30 minutes.  It is called, “Can We Talk About Whiteness?”  The hosts and guests dig into why it's so hard to talk about white identity in America — and why it's really important that we figure out how.
You can listen to the podcast on your computer or on your smartphone.  Here are the different ways: 
     1.  Go to https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch and scroll all the way to the bottom.  It is the May 31, 2016 episode “Can We Talk About Whiteness?”  You can listen directly from there on your computer.  
     2.  If you have an iPhone, Mac, iTunes, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/code-switch/id1112190608?mt=2&i=1000369711480  and it will take you to the episode.  
     3.  If you have a different type of smart phone, go to the app that provides you podcasts and search for NPR Code Switch, then scroll until you find the episode.
We have attached the reading “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” which is discussed in the podcast, as well a Washington Post article.  

Second Meeting
Symposium on Race.   November 1, 2017
This meeting will focus on how we individually identify ourselves.  In preparation, we ask that you consider and be prepared to share your answers to and thoughts regarding the below questions.  We also ask that you view the websites via the links provided at the end. 
 
Please know that the questions are not designed to have any correct answers, and we purposefully did not define any terms used therein.  
 
Questions to consider:  
What is your cultural tribe?  
If race is not the definitive marker, then what is?  
Do you have multiple cultural tribes and, if so, do you primarily define yourself with one?  
Do you think nonmembers define you that way too?  
In what ways is your cultural tribe doing better/worse than it had a generation ago?  
How do you define success for your cultural tribe?  
What has happened in America that impacted your answer?  
Do you believe the success of your cultural tribe is directly impacted by the success of other cultural tribes?  
If so… What tribes?  
In what manner?  
Do you think those tribes feel that way about yours?  
Can both tribes be successful?  
What do you want America to do for your cultural tribe?  
Who would do it?  
What responsibility does your cultural tribe have?  
Do you think those efforts are underway?  
Do you think your cultural tribe is generally taking responsibility for their part?  
Do you think other cultural tribes agree with your assessment?  
Readings, videos, and a test to review and consider:  
“Latinos / Hispanics…What Next!  Some Reflections of the Politics of Identity in the U.S.” by Martha E. Gimenez  (1992). https://www.colorado.edu/Sociology/gimenez/work/heresies.html  
Claudia Rankine’s keynote speech to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) and Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA)(2015), suggested to start the video at the 4:50 minute mark.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7E1MHSFJ10&t=391s  
Project Implicit test, “Race (Black-White IAT)  https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html  
Interview of Royce Mann by CNN regarding his poem, “White Boy Privilege”  (2016)   http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/13/us/teen-slam-poet-white-privilege-hln/index.html
The Messy Truth podcast by Van Jones, Episode 2 (2016)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Cm7pPR9Ng  
Prepared by Jessica Schmidt, Jordan Fox and Mychael Dave

First Meeting:
Responses to the Agenda are in CAPS.
 
Introductions. EVERYONE INTRODUCED THEMSELVES AND SHARED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THEY CAME. WE HAD ABOUT 25 ATTENDEES OUT OF 35 “YES” RSVPS. WE PLANNED DINNER, DRINKS AND WINE FOR 30 PEOPLE.  
First questions:  
Should we meet on a monthly basis? YES, FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF EACH MONTH, AT 6PM.   
Who should participate? ALL WHO ARE PRESENT AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED FOLKS.  
Should we meet at a designated place or conduct meetings in various locations? YES, WASHINGTON PARK LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 South Franklin Street, Denver, AND ANY FUTURE PLACE WE AGREE TO MEET.  
Should we have planned programs? YES, 2 OR 3 MEMBERS WILL PLAN A DISCUSSION EVERY MONTH ON WHATEVER ISSUE THEY WISH TO ADDRESS, AND WILL PROVIDE ALL ATTENDEES WITH ARTICLES TO READ OR PODCASTS TO HEAR. MYCHAEL DAVE, JORDAN FOX, AND JESSICA SCHMIDT WILL LEAD THE NOVEMBER 1, 2017 DISCUSSION. JUDGE ROBERTO RAMIREZ IS IN LINE TO LEAD THE DECEMBER PROGRAM.  
Should we have trained facilitators in attendance (to keep us focused)? IF THE PROGRAM PLANNERS WANT HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL, THEY CAN INCLUDE ONE.  
What shall we call our discussiongroup? FOR NOW, “SYMPOSIUM ON RACE” UNTIL SOMEONE HAS A BETTER NAME FOR US.  
Other issues/items for discussion? DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE MEETING LEADERS.  **BILL MEYER (WHO GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED FOOD FOR OUR FIRST MEETING) SAID THE MEALS WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $15 PER PERSON, PER WEEK, SO ALL AGREED TO BRING $15 EACH TO REIMBURSE THE LEADERS FOR DINNER.**