What Does Justice for All Look Like?, April 9

A panel discussion on the current state of civil rights in America, from the perspective of BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, and other historically marginalized communities.

The St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Center for the Study of Democracy, in partnership with the SMCM Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, Historic St. Mary's City, Historic Sotterley, and Southern Maryland PFLAG, NAACP #7025, and the United Committee for Afro-American Contributions, will host a forum to follow up on last fall’s panel discussion, "The Civil Rights Act in Southern Maryland: Yesterday, Today, and for Tomorrow." That program, featuring distinguished speakers from various community sectors, commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and its legacy in Southern Maryland.

This spring, we will expand on the discussion, engaging students in an intergenerational conversation about civil rights in the United States. How has the push for civil rights changed since passage of the Civil Rights Act? What might the impacts of the new federal administration be? What does Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) really mean, and who benefits from it? Can we achieve justice for all?

We will explore these topics as they relate to historically marginalized groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, the disabled, and others. 

PANELISTS

Mia Bowers, President of NAACP #7025 (St. Mary's County) and Executive Director of Community Mediation of St. Mary's 

Brandon Russell, Member of Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, Pride SOMD, and Southern Maryland PFLAG

Rashida Ogletree-George, Deputy Chief, Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Civil Rights Division