On April 4th, The Center for Black Studies hosted a roundtable panel of speakers to talk about contemporary issues of justice and strategies for moving forward. The event was one of many being held by universities and organizations across the country in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. ±Ø²©ÓéÀÖ,±È²©ÓéÀÖÍøÖ· #########¡¯s panel, held in the Huffman President¡¯s dining room from 4:30-6:00 p.m. was entitled: Where Were We Then? Where Are We Now? Roundtable discussants included: Dr. Gabrielle Civil, (Laura C. Harris Scholar in residence, Women's and Gender Studies), Alejandra Leon (Community organizer/activist on immigration), Dr. Heather Pool (Political Science), Dr. Johan Uribe (Economics), and student Amirah Loury '19, a Black Studies major and chemistry minor. Dr. John Jackson, Black Studies and Religion moderated the panel which was well received by a full house of students, faculty, staff and members of the greater Newark-Granville communities.

This interdisciplinary panel explored the implications of Dr. King¡¯s leadership and of social movements during King¡¯s time for social change today. Four main topics were explored: Race, Gender, Immigration, and Income Inequality. Panelists responded to questions such as: What strategies from King¡¯s non-violent approaches to activism relate to strategies being used today? Are there any lessons learned from King¡¯s life and legacy that might help us better diagnose the policy problems associated with economic inequality? What are some of the complexities raised by the immigration phenomenon and do you see any changes over time since the era of the Civil Rights Movement? What lessons can we take from Dr. King¡¯s life about what it means to be a good citizen; and, how did Dr. King justify disobedience to the law as a just act? Discussion of these questions by the roundtable participants was followed by a lively Q&A with the audience. Learning how to address current issues was a fitting remembrance of Dr. King¡¯s life work for a just society.