
SMC Public Policy Institute 2023 Spring Symposium
From Me to We
Building Cross-Racial Solidarity for a Better Democracy
Thursday, May 18
Keynote Address by Heather McGhee
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Location: John Adams Middle School (JAMS) Auditorium
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
How We Build Power: Linking Race and Class Mass Incarceration, Wealth Inequality, Threats to Democracy
Monday, May 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Discussion with Dr. Ian Haney López, UC Berkeley School of Law, author of Merge Left and Dog Whistle Politics
Moderators: Dr. Paul Klumpe, SMC Philosophy
SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183)
SMC Main Campus
Putting White Interests on Trial: Derrick Bell’s ‘Space Traders’ Thought Experiment
Tuesday, May 16, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
A screening of “Space Traders”, a 30-minute film based on a short story by civil rights champion, lawyer, and professor Derrick Bell, will be incorporated into this discussion and reflection on race.
Moderators: Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein; Dr. Amber Katherine, SMC Philosophy; and Tim Conley, SMC Film
SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183)
SMC Main Campus
Why can’t we have nice things?: A Student Panel on Race, Class & Solidarity
Wednesday, May 17, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Featuring SMC Students
SMC Student Services Center Orientation Hall (SSC 183)
SMC Main Campus
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Thursday, May 18, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Keynote Address by Heather McGhee; author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
RSVP
RSVP required
John Adams Middle School (JAMS) Auditorium
2425 16th St,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation due to a disability to participate in any of these events, please contact Kiersten Elliott at Elliott_Kiersten@smc.edu or 310-434-4173, at least 5 business days in advance.
Engaging Voices, Changing Lives, Shaping Futures
Inspires Students to Make a Real Difference in Their Communities and in the World
From socioeconomics to education, healthcare to housing, and energy to the environment, the decisions of policymakers affect all our lives. Understanding the role we can play collectively and individually in shaping public policy is essential to our participatory democracy.
The interdisciplinary, innovative Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College educates and empowers a diverse student body with the academic grounding and hands-on experience they need to become agents of change – whether they choose a career in public policy or simply want to improve their community and the world we share.
Through an annual symposium and frequent public forums with civic leaders, the Public
Policy Institute also serves as a powerful force for engaging the community in dialogue
on some of the most pressing public policy issues of the day.
Contact
Co-Director, Founding Associate Director
310-434-3541
Co-Director
310-434-8668