Quick Hit: First annual National Dialogue on Race Day at Tufts University

Today is the first annual National Dialogue on Race day organized by my alma mater Tufts University. The day of discussion and candid conversation about race in America was launched by the Tufts Center for the Study of Race and Democracy.

Via EBONY.com:

Today is the first annual National Dialogue on Race Day (NDRD) started by Dr. Peniel Joseph of Tufts University.  Tufts Center for Race and Democracy’s NDRD comes on the heels of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and is meant to keep the long overdue, candid conversation about race and the impact on communities of color

“The number 1 goal is to convene a conversation about race and democracy that is specifically focused on policy driven solutions that will impact all communities,” Dr. Joseph told EBONY, “When we talk about racism now, we need to be talking about racial outcomes.  The biggest problem is the United States with regards to race is not racism, but inequality of outcomes.  NDRD is about raising awareness and conversing about how we can get equality of racial outcomes in the criminal justice system, in jobs, in public education, and in health care.  These are areas where black people and racial minorities are overrepresented in a negative way,” says Dr. Joseph.

There are three major topics being addressed on NDRD: “1) 50 years after the March on Washington where are we?, 2) African Americans in the criminal justice system and mass incarceration, and 3) race relations in the 21st century.”

Let’s hope the NDRD will spark a productive conversation and we can finally have some real talk in America about the inequality of opportunity and outcomes for people of color.