ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An ambitious conference on race, gender and class underscored that the nation is driven by these issues as much as ever and feelings about them are still raw.
The 13th annual White Privilege Conference, which drew a diverse crowd of 1,500 last month, held more than 120 presentations and discussions that seemed to resonate in light of the controversial Trayvon Martin case.
The Florida teenager’s photo was displayed in discussions of racial profiling and his name was mentioned in a rap song played during one session. Participants were asked to jot down what actions the incident was inspiring them to take, and their comments were taped on a wall.
Martin was fatally shot on Feb. 26 by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who said he was attacked by Martin and acted in self-defense. Martin, who wore a hooded sweatshirt, was found to carry candy and a can of iced tea. Protesters have called for Zimmerman’s arrest for murder but authorities are holding off, saying they are still investigating the death.
Dr. Angela Davis, a keynote speaker, said throwing one person behind bars doesn’t address the deeper problems that created the situation.
“I totally understand that this is where our emotions lead us, but putting one person in prison is not going to solve the problem,” said Davis, who gained notoriety as a radical activist in the ‘60s and now teaches at the University of California in Santa Cruz.
“It’s time for us to begin to engage in public conversation about violence and racism in a way that we don’t seek easy answers,” she said.
