On February 7, 1949, renowned civil rights activist Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois gave a speech (the written version unearthed by our own Carolyn Parker) at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. We will be listening to a reading of this historic address as Dr. Du Bois speaks about the importance of acknowledging the hardships that African Americans have faced as well as their contributions to this country’s success. This historic address is consistent with the resolution passed at the 2017 AEU Assembly titled “Toward Repairing the Harm of Racism.” There, the AEU stated its goal of addressing racial inequality by examining the effects that racial discrimination has had and continue to have on people of color. Dr. Du Bois’ address echoes this sentiment, a timeless reminder that we cannot create a better future without looking into the past. This event will take place virtually on Zoom on Sunday, January 30th, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time with Dennis D. Parker reading Dr. Du Bois’ speech. We hope to see you there!

Learn how to join at https://aeu.org/event/will-the-truth-set-you-free.

About our Speaker: We are excited to have Dennis D. Parker of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) do the verbal reenactment of Dr. Du Bois’ address. Prior to his work at the NCLEJ, he fought for racial equality on behalf of other social justice-focused organizations like the ACLU and NAACP. Dennis has also published multiple pieces on civil rights including articles and books as well as teaching the subject as an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School/Teachers College and NYU Law School.

P.S. A quick shoutout to the volunteer planners who put together this All-Society Platform: Susan Solomon of the Ethical Society of Northern Westchester, Carolyn Parker of the Ethical Society of Austin, Taty Sena of the Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture, and Joanna Brandt of the Baltimore Ethical Society.