Tim Wise to Lecture: 'Denial of Racism a Form of Racism Itself'

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The School of Social Work and several sponsoring departments across campus are coming together to bring Tim Wise to campus. Wise is a nationally recognized anti-racist writer and educator who has been called "one of the most brilliant, articulate, and courageous critics of white privilege in the nation."

Wise will be engaging students and the campus community through two separate speaking engagements.

On Wednesday, April 25, Wise will present a lecture on Wealth, Race, and Entitlement to the campus wide community. The event will be held in Giffels Auditorium in Old Main from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All campus faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend this event.

On Thursday, April 26, Wise will present a lecture to student leaders on campus focusing on anti-racism, diversity and leadership. Student leaders have been identified by sponsoring organizations and are invited to Willard J. Walker Hall 218 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for students to come away with tangible ways they can promote inclusion and diversity across campus and their communities.

Marcia Shobe from the School of Social Work attended one of Wise's lectures in Washington, D.C., and notes that "Mr. Wise is able to present complex topics like white privilege, discrimination and racism in a way that is both informative and enlightening. His presentations are designed to breach common stereotypes and challenge audiences to recognize and modify their own ways of thinking about individuals and groups different from themselves."

These events would not be possible without the help of the following organizations and sponsors: African and African American Studies, the Ford Foundation, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Diversity Affairs, Office of Student Activities, Honors College, the Multicultural Center, and the Sam M. Walton College of Business's Office of Diversity Programs.

The collaboration among these departments along with the School of Social Work is providing an excellent opportunity for the community to come together and hear a passionate message about diversity and leadership. Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity, notes that the university is "always happy to have speakers here who push us to become a more culturally sensitive and inclusive campus. Mr. Wise will surely give us much to consider."

Hearing Wise discuss such important topics with enthusiasm and passion is an opportunity you don't want to miss.