By Kevin Jenkins
Senior Program Officer and Director of Community Initiatives

Recently I attended one of the most thought-provoking, engaging, and admittedly, at times disturbing conferences that I have in quite some time, if ever.  Over four days in early June, the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and Center on Race and Social Problems hosted several hundred attendees for its “Race in America: Restructuring Inequality”symposium at its Pittsburgh campus.  As I eagerly awaited what was sure to be a prophetic (and historic) account of Race, and the many forms of racism, in our country by Julian Bond the conference’s opening keynote speaker, I found myself pondering the title of the conference and engaging in self-reflection.

Not that I questioned the seemingly benign “Race in America” moniker, but what I found to be of interest was this notion of “inequality” and should this premise be accepted, how to go about the task of “restructuring” a condition that I believe resides in the very fabric of our country.  Needless to say Mr. Bond did not disappoint as he challenged our thinking and attitudes in stating “The racial picture has certainly improved in my lifetime.  Those who say race is history have it backwards; history is race.”  Many Americans, Black and White, view the election of President Obama as the end to race discrimination.  However, Mr. Bond views this historic election as the reawakening of racism in our country.

The next evening’s keynote address by Julianne Malveaux, focused on economic justice, or the lack of, and the dismal economic status of minorities especially African Americans.  Ms. Malveaux conceded that there is indeed a diversity movement afoot but “… diversity is not economic justice.”  In keeping with a primary goal of the conference, to solicit and offer solutions, she stressed that in order to counteract present day economic disparities, it is necessary to endorse policies that would reverse those of the past. 

In addition to these culminating perspectives by two of the world’s foremost authorities on race, the conference drew upon national and local experts who utilized data and evidence-based documentation to provide conversation (and solutions) on race disparities and inequalities regarding health care, education, criminal justice, housing and other issues.  For personal reasons, I have long considered myself as someone who proactively searches for opportunities to further my knowledge about race inequalities and promote activism for social justice; and was surprised that the stirring that I felt at the conclusion of many of the “workshops” wasn’t one of despair or hopelessness but one of pride and embarrassingly, complacency.  Complacency in the realization that there is so much more that I believe that I could be doing to further the conversation and the work in restructuring inequalities, and pride in the University of Pittsburgh for initiating this critical first step.

If there were any doubts regarding the undertaking of such an epic event, those reservations dissipated with the conference’s concluding panel that wrestled with the question: Does or should a post-racial America exist?  The assembled panel of experts evoked both cheers and boos from the filled-to-capacity auditorium.  As for me, the one thought that continued to echo in my mind was the fact that while I may be left with many more questions than answers, as a city, a region, and a nation, there remains much work to do and that the conversation must continue for the sake of us all. 

I invite you to continue the conversation here.  Share your thoughts and ideas on how we can keep a healthy and productive dialogue going in our community and overcome the complacency issue on race.