Join us for a presentation and discussion about creating solutions to housing issues in our community on January 15th, 2019. The event is free and open to the public. Dinner and childcare will be provided at no charge. RSVPs are requested. A pre-event discussion will also take place on January 8th from 5-7 p.m. at Willard Library. More details on that event is at the bottom of the page.
This year, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 turned 50 years old. Even with this important protection, segregation persists nationwide, and in Battle Creek. The long-standing segregation is directly attributed to federal policy, and no one makes this point clearer than Richard Rothstein in his book “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.”
From his research, Rothstein concludes that people of color have been kept, “… geographically separate by racially explicit government policies. However, many of these policies have never been remedied and their effects endure.”
The Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS is sponsoring this visit with Richard Rothstein in partnership with the Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity, Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, City of Battle Creek, Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan, Kellogg Community College, Neighborhoods Inc., Voces and Willard Library.
Please join us for eye-opening perspective and honest conversation. We want to make a difference. Dinner and childcare will be provided at no charge. Below is a schedule for the evening:
5:00 p.m. – Dinner begins (Please RSVP Below)
6:00 p.m. – Presentation by Richard Rothstein
6:45 p.m. – Audience Q&A
7:00 p.m. – Small Group Discussion among tables
7:45 – 8:00 p.m. – Book Signing
We are requesting that everyone RSVP so that we can plan accordingly for dinner and space. Questions? Please contact the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS at 269.962.5193 or alankerd@bcaar.com.
Pre-Event Conversation, 1/8/19 from 5-7 p.m.
In preparation for the Richard Rothstein Color of Law speaking event, we are inviting socially conscious individuals to engage in a conversation that explores how segregation has historically impacted and continues to affect our community on both the interpersonal and systemic/structural levels.
The conversation will include:
• Context for Rothstein’s visit
• Brief introduction of local history as it relates to segregation
• Small group conversations centered on various themes in The Color of Law
• Large group conversation reporting out what we learned from each other and where we want to go from here
Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP for both events using the form below.