Webinars on Race, Racism and the Law: Call for Panelists




From: Vernellia R. Randall, Professor of Law, University of Dayton

The United Nations has declared 2011 "The International Year for People of African Descent".  I plan to a conduct a series of webinars on "Health Status, Social Determinants of Health and African Americans."    We are looking for panelists  to join the  interdisciplinary webinars that will be scheduled through out the year.

Social determinants of health are the key factors in the health status gap between blacks and whites. Social determinants of health are the social, economic and political forces under which people live that affect their health.  Social determinants include wealth/income, education, physical environment, health care, housing, employment, stress and racism/discrimination. In fact, for blacks racism is a key factor.  Even when economics are controlled, blacks have poorer health. That is, middle-class blacks have poorer health than middle-class whites. In fact, middle-class whites live 10 years longer than middle-class blacks. The stress of living in a racialized discriminatory society accounts for these racial health disparities.

Each webinar will consider a particular social determinant, inequities and the role of the law in promoting inequities or eliminating inequities.

Each webinar will be 1.5 to 2 hours. There will be 2 to 3 panelist for each webinar. Each panelist will be approximately 20 to 30 minutes. There will be a 30 minute Question and Answer. Looking for experts in (1) health status of african americans (2) inequality in specific area and/or (3) the role of law in promoting or eliminating inequality.

The webinars will be free and open to the public. They will be interdisciplinary. We will arrange the dates  to accommodate the schedule of the panelist. The tentative monthly schedule is below. The schedule can be change.   If you are interested please email Vernellia Randall. Identify the panel you are interested in, include a brief description of your experience relevant to this webinar. If you have relevant scholarship, please include relevant citations.

January

Health Policy and Law as a Social Determinant

February

Racial Inequality, Racism and Chronic Stress

March

Wealth and Income

April

Jobs, Employment and Working Conditions

May

Education: k-12, Higher Education and Professional

June

Housing and Neighborhoods

July

Environmental Racism

August

Targeting: Guns, Drugs and Fast Foods

September

Food Insecurity

October

Transportation

November

Criminal and Civil Justice

December

Pulling it all Together:   Anti-Discrimination Law for the 21st Century