Beyond the Rhetoric: Civil Rights & Our Shared Responsibility
In conjunction with the Chapel’s 50th Anniversary and commitment to furthering social justice nationally and internationally, this two-part event series will examine different understandings of and approaches to furthering human rights and civil liberties in the United States.
The opening lecture series taking place July through October 2021 provides a unique suite of virtual programs featuring keynote speakers and panelists who will share both the historical contexts and contemporary conditions for understanding some of the critical civil and human rights issues of today. This conversation continues with a multi-day virtual symposium October 21-23, 2021, allowing further engagement with seasoned and emerging social justice leaders to explore intersecting civil and human rights topics, including how individuals, grassroots initiatives, and policy makers can work together to create a more equitable future for all.
Questions that this two-part series will explore include: How have civil rights historically been understood and applied in this country? Who benefits from current civil rights, and who has been left out? Are there civil rights and liberties that are particularly at-risk today? How can we become more effective advocates and activists as we work to address injustice and create an equitable society? How can we rethink our approaches to the concept of rights, responsibilities, and civil liberties? And how can we sustain our passion for social justice and long-haul activism?
Beyond the Rhetoric Livestream Programs
Our Moral Obligation: Ensuring the Dignity of All
Featuring the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
Thursday, July 22, 6pm CDT
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, addressed his perspective on US civil rights through a moral and faith-based lens. Rev. Dr. Barber shared historical and contemporary experiences of organizing around issues of economic and racial justice across the country, and discuss the work of his coalitions to create lasting, systemic change. Rev. Dr. Barber's talk was followed by a moderated Q&A session led by Rev. Laura Mayo, Covenant Church & Rothko Chapel Board Member.
Watch on Vimeo
The Struggle for Equality: LGBTQIA+ Rights
Featuring JoDee Winterhof & Adri Perez
Wednesday, September 8, 6pm CDT
JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs at Human Rights Campaign and Adri Perez, Policy & Advocacy Strategist at ACLU of Texas discussed the state of LGBTQIA+ rights in the US. JoDee Winterhof addressed national LGBTQIA+ issues and initiatives, followed by Adri Perez who focused on the state of Texas. A moderated conversation with Q&A was facilitated by Rev. Troy Treash, Senior Pastor at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church.
Watch on Vimeo
American Indian Worldview and the Concept of Rights
Featuring Dina-Gilio Whitaker &Tink Tinker
Thursday, September 30, 6pm CDT
Tink Tinker and Dina Gilio-Whitaker engaged in dialogue moderated by Suzanne Benally exploring the concept of rights for the American Indian people. Juxtaposed to western frameworks that focus on individual rights, for American Indians the idea of rights has often been used against the collective interests of tribal nations because the philosophical foundations at the core of Indigenous and western worldviews are dramatically different.
Watch on Vimeo
Defending & Advancing the Rights of Immigrants
Featuring Charles Kamasaki & Sister Norma Pimentel
Wednesday, October 13, 6pm CDT
Join us for a timely conversation on the rights of immigrants in the US and Texas with Charles Kamasaki, Senior Cabinet Advisor of UnidosUS and Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley. A moderated conversation with Q&A will be facilitated by Frances Valdez, Executive Director of Houston in Action.
Virtual Symposium March 31 - April 1, 2022
Beyond the Rhetoric: Civil Rights & Our Shared Responsibility
Save the date for a multi-day virtual convening allowing further engagement with seasoned and emerging social justice leaders to explore intersecting civil and human rights topics, including how individuals, grassroots initiatives, and policy makers can work together to create a more equitable future for all.
More information to come
