The panel series, “We Need To Talk: Conversations on Racism for a More Resilient Las Vegas,” returns Sept. 20 for a discussion on critical race theory.
“We Need to Talk” is an educational series sponsored by the UNLV Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs which examines how multiple aspects of systemic racism impact our community. The goal is to propose steps communities and individuals can take to affect positive change.
Critical race theory is a topic we’ve heard about in the media and in political campaigns. What actually is critical race theory? It seemingly appeared out of nowhere and took over the airwaves, but where did it come from? Is it really a concept being ingrained into our school systems, or have politicization and controversy skewed its original meaning? Our panelists will help us understand why critical race theory became a hot button issue, what critical race theory can teach us, and help us define what critical race theory is and isn’t.
“We Need to Talk About Critical Race Theory” is scheduled from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 20 inside UNLV's Greenspun Hall Auditorium. It will be held in-person and livestreamed. The discussion host/moderator is Claytee White, director of the UNLV Oral History Research Center.
Panelists:
- Christine Clark, Professor of Teaching & Learning, UNLV College of Education
- Patrice Leverett, Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services, UNLV College of Education
- Jayne Malorni, Education Program Lead, Nevada Department of Education
For those unable to attend, the episode will be livestreamed on the UNLV Libraries website.
Educators: Educators can download material from the UNLV Libraries’ companion guide. Archived episodes are also available online.
About We Need to Talk
In 2020, following the calls for racial justice that erupted across the country and around the world following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, UNLV University Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs launched the series, “We Need to Talk: Conversations on Racism for a More Resilient Las Vegas.” The purpose of the series is to bring frank context to the demonstrations and begin exploring pathways for equity for all Las Vegas and Southern Nevada citizens.
The series features Southern Nevada community members, UNLV alumni, and researchers surrounding issues of race and systemic racism. Previous discussions have focused on specific topics like health care disparities, criminal justice reform, how communities of color are represented by news organizations in digital media, inequality in education, and economic challenges.
The series is sponsored by UNLV University Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and is funded in part by Libraries Advisory Board Member Sara Mason.
