Public Policy Institute

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

 

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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.

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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.