Throughout 2017, the Wichita Public Library will be conducting a series of programs designed to highlight race and ethnicity, particularly in relationship to law enforcement. All events are free and open to the public.
February
Civil Rights in Wichita
The newest Smithsonian museum recognizes Wichita’s role in the Civil Rights movement. How much do you know about that history? Hear from Dr. Gretchen Eick, a history professor at Friends University, who researched and wrote a book about this important time in our city’s past.
1:30-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, Central Library
Mining the Trust Gap: Ferguson and Americans’ Changing Views of Police Behavior
From incarceration statistics to public opinion on police behavior, there has long been a wide gap between white & black Americans. Using a range of sources including interviews & public opinion data, this talk explores views of police processes of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
7-8 p.m., Thursday, February 16, WSU Hughes Metroplex
March
Racial Profiling: How do minorities experience what they believe to be racial profiling?
Hear about the research conducted by Dr. Michael Birzer, a Professor of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, that portrays the findings of nearly five years of racial profiling and laid the groundwork for his book Racial Profiling: They Stopped Me Because I’m _______!
7-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, WSU Hughes Metroplex
April
Police on Racial Profiling: In Their Own Words
What do Kansas police officers think about allegations of racial profiling, and what needs to be done to resolve the controversy? Attend a panel presentation informed by research that examined Kansas police officers’ perspectives on racial profiling. Following the presentation, Chief of Police Gordon Ramsay and a diverse panel of community representatives will discuss the study and answer questions.
7-9 p.m., Tuesday, April 4, WSU Hughes Metroplex
Voting Rights and Racial Justice
The right to vote is a core freedom in America. However, developments in the electoral process have had an effect on voters, and those changes have racial implications. Micah Kubic, head of the Kansas American Civil Liberties Union, speaks about matters of voting rights on race.
6:30-7:45 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, Central Library
Cracking the Codes Film Discussion
From director Shakti Butler comes a new film that asks America to talk about the causes and consequences of systemic inequity.Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity features moving stories from racial justice leaders. Join the conversation and dig deeper into how race affects our day-to-day life and is embedded in our social fabric.
1:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 22, Central Library
Partner Organizations
This program made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Kansas Humanities Council. Candid Conversations is a collaboration with the following groups: