The subject of race is not going away anytime soon, and writer Charles W. Mills tells us there’s a reason for that.
The subject of race is not going away anytime soon, and writer Charles W. Mills tells us there’s a reason for that.
Mills will appear at The Athena Cinema on Thursday to discuss the misconceptions of liberalism and racial justice with his lecture, “Liberalism and Racial Justice” and why OU students should involve themselves with the topic.
“Typically, people perceive racial issues and link them to their liberal standing, but Charles Mills suggests another theory,” said Andrew Stadeker, general secretary of African Students Union. “Mills takes the approach on race through the evolution of social roles and philosophy.”
In Mills’s book, The Racial Contract, released in 1997, he discussed how racism contributed to a social contract in history and set the standards on how we think and perceive others. Mills is known for his work in social and political philosophy with socioeconomic status, and for the past five years, his main focus has been on race.
“If you’re interested in politics, current events, or being a part of the solution, stop by on Thursday. Especially with recent events, race needs to be openly talked about and discussed how we as young people can contribute to the issue as a solution,” Stadeker said.
After the lecture, Mills will hold an open question and answer and have extra time for the signing of his book.
The event is presented by the African Students Union, but has various sponsors such as the Ohio University Multicultural Center.
“This event is interesting, especially with what is going on nationally,” said Winsome Chunnu-Brayda, associate director of the Multicultural Center. This can help students understand the social construction of how race affects certain groups in the United States. Without that construction, it limits that group’s ability to uphold itself in the social issues they face.”
