International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
According to The Sentencing Project, "African Americans are incarcerated in state prisons across the country at more than five times the rate of whites, and at least ten times the rate in five states." Delaware Valley University will be hosting an event that will examine racial disparity in the criminal justice system on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is March 21. The date was chosen by the United Nations in 1966 in remembrance of 69 people who were killed in South Africa at a peaceful demonstration.
The 2017 theme of this international day to reflect on and fight racism is “racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including the context of migration.”
In observance, DelVal's Graduate Counseling Psychology Speaker Series will be hosting a viewing and discussion of “13th” a documentary on racial inequality on Tuesday, March 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the University’s Life Sciences Building auditorium.
The documentary examines the history of inequality in the U.S., the prison boom, and why prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.
“Racism is alive in our country and we need to speak out against institutional practices and behaviors that discriminate against people based on race,” said Dr. Audrey Ervin, academic director of DelVal’s graduate counseling psychology program. “I would encourage anyone who is interested in learning more or speaking out against policies, practices, speech and behaviors that harm immigrants and minorities to attend this event.”
Dr. George James, Jr., a psychologist, will lead the discussion on the film.
Dr. James is a couples and family therapist and has worked with clients with a range of different cultural backgrounds. He is the program director of couples and family therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. James has been a featured expert on many television programs, serves as a contributing author for Ebony magazine and has presented TED talks at Villanova University.
Sponsors:
The Graduate Counseling Psychology Speaker Series is co-sponsoring this event with DelVal's graduate policy studies program and the Minority Relations Council. Rise Up Doylestown and Showing Up for Racial Justice, Delaware Valley Chapter collaborated with the University to make the screening possible. DelVal's graduate counseling psychology program offers a track in social justice counseling.
Tickets:
All are welcome and there is no cost to attend. Guests do not need to RSVP.