Panel Series
Breaking the Myth of Meritocracy
The four part panel discussions will deconstruct historic systemic racist policies and connect their cross-generational effects on education, wealth, income and health outcomes. These conversations provide an opportunity to have honest and possibly uncomfortable conversations to debunk the myth of meritocracy.
Our goal is to have real dialogue that works towards dismantling cycles that result from a broken understanding of history, fostering greater understanding and ultimately greater empathy.
Panel 1: How Race Shapes Philadelphia
Date: December 9, 2017 | Location: WHYY, 150 N 6th St | Time: 3PM - 6PM
Local scholars, activists and community leaders convened to take an honest look at the trauma and profound loss created in communities of color by consistent exclusion and lack of access to resources through systematic practices such as redlining.
This event was produced in partnership with Next City and WHYY. Panelists and moderator included:
- Mike O’Bryan, Director of Youth and Young Adult Programs at The Village of Arts and Humanities
- Camille Charles, Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor in the Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, Graduate School of Education, and the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Andre Perry, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.
- Pili X, Director of Community Partnerships at the North Philly Peace Park
- Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez, Philadelphia City Council member, 7th District
Panel 2: Unpacking the Trap
Date: October 1, 2018 | Location: 421 North 7th St | Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm
“Racial segregation does not just happen; it is made.”
- Ira Katznelson
This discussion brings together panelists and community to unpack intentional, exclusionary government policies enacted under the New Deal (1933-40s), during Urban Renewal (1954-70s), and into present day.
We’ll explore how legislation from the 20th century has contributed to and enforced the explicit segregation of our neighborhoods. While these widespread, “historic” practices were made illegal and unconstitutional 50 years ago, they continue to deeply impact communities of color. These racist housing policies have had ripple effects on everything from education to criminal justice to general wealth building and equity -- shaping the way people experience day to day life and how our communities look today.
PANELISTS:
- Emmanuel Martinez, Data Reporter from Reveal, The Center for Investigative Journalism
- Rachelle Faroul, Technologist and Community Organizer, featured in the Reveal article about modern-day redlining
- Richard Rothstein, Author of Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America
- Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia City Council, 2nd District
Moderator: Alia Fierro, Associate Director of Policy from the National Fair Housing Alliance
There will be a reception with light refreshments following the discussion.
Panel 3: “Freedom Makes Negroes Crazy”
Date: November 7, 2018 | Location: WHYY, 150 N 6th St | Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
“Freedom Makes Negroes Crazy” is what John C. Calhoun, 7th Vice President of the United States, said about the free Blacks living in the North. This controversial title was selected to highlight just how deep racist governmental policies and racist propaganda have been ingrained in the society of America since its inception. Our panelists will explore the ways in which government and media have used these tools to convince the country of the dangers of inclusion and equality and how its effects shape the way our society and the legislative body continue to operate.
Implicit biases are pervasive and often shaped by these racist practices. Everyone possesses them. This intersectional conversation will look at the harmful ways in which these biases continue to fractionalize communities and talk about possibilities for unlearning these behaviors.
Supported by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism
PANELISTS:
- Arun Prabhakaran, Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Districts Attorney Office
- Andrew Ti, Creator and Producer of Yo, Is this Racist?, Earwolf
- Maribel Gonzalez, Program Coordinator, Amplifier
- T. Shá Duncan Smith, Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Development, Swarthmore College
This panel will be moderated by Tayyib Smith, Co-founder of Little Giant Creative.
RSVP to attend, as space is limited: https://addpaneleventnov7.splashthat.com/
Panel 4: Transformative Resistance To Meritocracy Myth
Date: TBD | Location: TBD | Time: TBD
To culminate the panel series, the last discussion will examine the iterative nature of federal policies that have continuously ensured the lack of access to people of color. Our panelists will provide examples of social justice initiatives and resources to address some of the most pressing issues impacting our communities and connect audience members to actionable opportunities.