Racism in America series returns to Montco Community College

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Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and its Office of Arts and Culture are proud to announce the return of the popular Richard K. Bennett Distinguished Lectureship for Social Peace and Justice Series Racism in America presentation, for its third season.

The three-session virtual series begins Wednesday, January 18 at 12:30 p.m. and this year will focus on the intersectionality of race, class, and gender as weapons of oppression. The second and third sessions will be held on Wednesday February 8 and Wednesday February 8. 22, respectively. The series is hosted by MCCC English professor Dr. Fran L. Lassiter.

Each online session is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Dr. Lassiter and Brent Woods, Senior Director of Arts and Culture, said it was a pleasure to see the Racism in America series return, as it will continue this important dialogue and provide an opportunity to showcase the body college professor.

A key part of this year’s series is engaging our brilliant faculty here at the College in conversation, Woods said. Where people will really gain a clearer understanding of the people who teach these subjects here at Montco, and in some cases experience it. It is a wonderful opportunity not only for our students, but also for our external community to have first-hand experience of the level of knowledge and wisdom on our campuses every day.

We have the opportunity to showcase our faculty as academics, Lassiter said. I think one thing we forget is that our professors are teachers, but they have individual interests and research outside of the classroom. I am delighted that they are showing a side of their expertise outside of the classroom and also engaging with other teachers.

Sanket H. Desai, Assistant Professor of History and MCCC Lecture Series Liaison, will lead the first session of the Racism in America, Ethnicity and Culture: Understanding Race as a Social Construct series.

The terms culture, ethnicity and race are often used interchangeably; however, each term is distinctly different, depending on the session description. While race is a social construct associated with skin color and physical characteristics, culture and ethnicity are determined by less obvious traits. In this session, we will explore the concept of race as a social construct to better understand the ways in which culture and ethnicity more accurately determine a person’s identity. Additionally, the session will examine the differences between race, culture and ethnicity and in doing so, provide insight into how and why racism is based on a misunderstanding of identity.

The second session Class and Economics: How Society Views Economically African American Men will be led by MCCC Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Durrell Jones.

It is impossible to discuss the intersection of race and class without a clear understanding of the historical underpinnings of both, according to the session description. In this session, we will explore the origins of the racial and class distinctions that shape many of today’s institutions and perpetuate economic disparity between races. Covering topics related to slavery, emancipation, immigration and the American dream, this session will examine the concept of social mobility and the ways in which a class-based merit system continues to limit access and opportunities for minorities.

This year’s third and final session, Gender: The intersectionality of Race andGender, will be led by Chera Watson, an MCCC mass media studies and production teacher and advisor to the Sexualityand Gender Alliance club.

Similar to race, gender is also a social construct. In society, we tend to use the terms sex and gender interchangeably, and although they are related, they are not the same, according to the session description. In this session, we will explore the intersectionality of race and gender and the resulting social and political inequalities. In particular, the session will examine the ways in which race further marginalizes women, often making them invisible and victims of politically and socially biased systems.

There will also be three online hearing and healing workshops led by Dr. Keima Sheriff, founder of Dr. Kem Speaks. These free online Zoom discussions will not be recorded and will allow participants to reflect on the themes presented in the sessions, allow people to process their thoughts and feelings about what they have learned. The sessions will seek to empower people in their lives and to become more engaged and encouraged to actively participate in the healing and reinvention of race in America. Each session is open to the community, but registration is required.

These sessions will not be recorded and will give people a chance to open up and be more candid than they otherwise would be, Dr. Lassiter said. I strongly encourage members of the public to also attend these sessions.

The Richard K. Bennett Distinguished Lectureship for Social Peace and Justice is supported by an endowment from the William Penn Foundation through the Bennett Fund of the Montgomery County Community College Foundation. The entire series is sponsored by The Black Reserve Bookstore.

For more information on the Racism in America series and ticket information, visit the homepage.

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