The Future of Race Relations in the Crescent City, part II
On Monday February 9, 2009 I will be moderating a panel on race relations and building Inter-ethnic coalitions in New Orleans. The event is part of UNO Diversity Week which runs from February 9 -13.
I am excited about the event for many reasons, among them is fact that such an open conversation is possible. I feel strongly that New Orleans, perhaps more than any other American city, has the pedigree to make attempts to bridge cross-cultural barriers successful. However, the new political and economic problems left in Katrina’s wake pose new challenges to these efforts. The panelists will discuss these issues among other challenges that they have come across in their efforts to bring people together for a common good and a common cause.
I want to extend readers an invitation to this event as well as an invitation to respond to this post. Leave a comment about your thoughts on race relations in this city. I am looking for different angles other than my own to formulate the questions for the panelists. Talk about any concerns or issues that you may want to see discussed, or a question that you may want to see asked during the panel. Lets keep this dialogue going so that it is not solely the domain of panelists and “experts.”
Gracias,
Rafa
Tags: hispanics, inter-ethnic relations, latinos, new orleans, race relations, race relations in new orleans