As the current electoral season plays out, many Americans are realizing that the race debate is not static and it changes as the context shifts. Prof. Crenshaw and Prof. Harris were co-presenters in a webinar conference on "Talking about Race in 2008" on August 7, 2008, made possible by the Fulfilling the Dream Fund and the California IMPACT 209 Coalition. Lynne A. Wolf, Advocacy Coordinator at the Center for Social Inclusion and the Diversity Advancement Project, also co-chaired the conference with AAPF’s directors as they shared effective re-framing techniques and the latest research on how to inform the public about issues surrounding race and inequality. Alvin Starks (Arcus Foundation) and Emily Whitfield (Communications Strategist) introduced the conversation, while Maritza Guzman (Dream Fund) and Sarah Jackson (Impact 209) co-moderated the discussion.
Please, choose the shelf on the bottom left to navigate through the webinar materials and related resources.
Additional Resources By AAPF:
There are many examples of Prof. Crenshaw’s and Prof. Harris’ involvement in what they call "Applied Reframing" about racial and social justice issues. Prof. Crenshaw and Prof. Harris contributed to a recent flurry of responses to a New York Times op-ed by Yale university Prof. Stephen Carter titled, "Affirmative Distraction." Prof. Crenshaw and Prof. Harris submitted the following letters to attest to the benefits they have experienced through affirmative action. The New York Times printed Prof. Harris’ and Prof. Crenshaw’s edited version in their July editions. Prof. Carter’s negative opinion in regards to race-base affirmative action and the political debate offered part of the context for the the discussion that took place in the webinar.
In addition, this electoral season will see the outcome of Ward Connerly’s ballot initiatives, another opponent to affirmative action, in three states. Prof. Crenshaw commented on this issue recently in a Ms Magazine article, exposing Connerly’s tactics to mislead the American public. To read this article, click here.
AAPF, in general, has worked with re-framing techniques against the pervading mis-perceptions on affirmative action, a testimony to why AAPF’s co-founders participated in the webinar on racial equity and communications. For more examples of AAPF’s work, please look at our 13 part radio series and Primer demystifying the myths surrounding affirmative action.
If you would like to find out about AAPF’s other projects such as the Global Affirmative Action Praxis Project, Aspen Roundtable for Community Change/AAPF Structural Racism Seminars, The Affirmative Action Seminar, and The Colorblindness Project at the Center for Advanced Behavioral Studies; or would like to join AAPF’s email list, please register here.