Conversations on Mental Health, Race, and Society
January 15–April 9, 2015
UC Irvine School of Law
This dialogue series sponsored by the Center for Biotechnology & Global Health Policy examines the intersections of law, race, society, and mental health through the use of dialogue and documentary.
The series provides a forum for thinking about the emotional, psychological, and mental health dimensions of social violence and discrimination. For example, does social violence impact mental health and well-being? How do we understand trauma and homophobia, racism, sexism, or religious bigotry as potentially linked? These provocative dialogues provide a nuanced platform to explore how discrimination may impact not only the psychological health and well-being of those directly harmed by it, but also the broader society.
The dialogue series examines legal cases as a platform for the discussions. The series is moderated by Professor Michele Goodwin, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Professor of Public Health and Gender & Women's Studies.
Spring 2015 Schedule
The Murder of Emmett Till
Thursday, January 15, 2015
11:55 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
EDU 1121 (Moot Courtroom at UCI Law)
This discussion will address issues of Social and Political Violence
Out in the Night
Thursday, January 22, 2015
5:00 p.m.
UCI Humanities Gateway 1070, McCormick Screening Room
This discussion will shine a light on the ongoing LGBT civil rights struggle. Renata Hill and Terrain Dandridge, two of the defendants in the case, will be present for Q & A after the film screening. Event flier (PDF)
Sponsored by the UCI Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies
Race-The Power of An Illusion: The House We Live In
Thursday, February 19, 2015
11:55 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
LAW 3500
This discussion will focus on White Flight and The Wage of Poverty: Economic Discrimination in The 20th Century
RSVP here to ensure a seat and lunch
Eyes on the Prize—Mississippi: Is This America? 1963-1964
Friday, February 20, 2015
12:00–1:15 p.m.
LAW 3500
This screening and special lecture is themed Resurrecting Jim Crow: Power, Racism and The American Road. Dr. Fon Louise Gordon, Associate Professor of History at University of Central Florida,examines the “road” deaths of civil rights workers Viola Liuzzo, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman to consider the role of the automobile and automobility as tools of racial and psychological violence during the U.S. Civil Rights movement.
Dr. Gordon places the deaths of civil rights workers in context with the parade of automobiles that frequently attended lynchings decades prior, to unpack the ways in which technology—in this case, the automobile—facilitated terrorizing and torture on the American open road. Dr. Gordon and Prof. Goodwin will consider whether and how that profound legacy currently impacts how people of color encounter the open road and “Driving While Black.”
RSVP here to ensure a seat and lunch
The 16 Year Old Killer: Cyntoia's Story
Thursday, March 26, 2015
11:55 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
LAW 3500
Sexual Violence Against Women And Girls will be the focus of this discussion.
RSVP here to ensure a seat and lunch
Eyes on The Prize: Southern School Desegregation (1957-1962)
Thursday, April 9, 2015
11:55 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
LAW 3500
This discussion will address Affirmative Action Backlash in Historical Context: Integration and the New Divide
RSVP here to ensure a seat and lunch