2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and myriad acts of racial violence in America, protests (of all types) have re-emerged as a common response to our social injustices and tensions.

Race and racism have also been highlighted as common threads that have defined how we understand and try to address broader issues of health equity and citizenship in America. While much of the recent discourse about health equity and racism has taken place on the national stage, many of the opportunities for change exist locally: elections for local officials, city budgets, and place-based advocacy from Community-Based Organizations.

During this virtual convening, participants explored the role higher education can play in supporting and facilitating transformative change in the cities and towns in which they exist. Speakers included representatives from philanthropic organizations, community organizers, and academics who have studied various forms of protests throughout history. Our hope is that this convening served as the beginning of a series of conversations at Vassar and beyond about how to transform our institutions in a way that allows for racial justice.