September 28, 2021
Kansas Leadership Center Offering--Tough Conversations on Race and History
Submitted by Jennifer R Wilson
In the years spanning 1861 and 1927, at least 67 of 105 Kansas counties recorded at least one act of racist violence. Those past incidents, in places such as Hays, diverge from the established narrative of the state’s free state origins.
In the Summer edition of The Journal, David Condos of the Kansas News Service explored the challenges Kansans face in discussing and trying to make sense of such incidents and racism in general. He found that Kansans hoping to spur discussion about the state’s history of racist violence often find themselves standing alone. Some of their neighbors say no good can come from revisiting history.
But some still use their voices to chart a path toward acknowledgment and even reconciliation. Join Journal managing editor Chris Green and a panel of experts for a discussion about the state’s history, what it means today and the benefits, liabilities and consequences of talking about it.
The panel features:
David Condos, Kansas News Service
Demetrius and Nuchelle Chance, former Kansas residents
Pastor Robert Johnson, Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita
Dr. James Leiker, professor of history at Johnson County Community College
This event will take place by livestream on Wednesday, September 29. Learn more on the KLC website.