Feb. 2, 2016 - Philosopher Dr. Derrick Darby will discuss the persistence of racism in the American education system, including student tracking and school discipline practices, during a free public lecture titled “Old Poison in New Bottles: How Racism Thrives in Integrated Schools and Why This Is a Problem of Justice,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College. A reception with Dr. Darby will follow the lecture.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at King’s and the Peace and Justice Center of Wilkes-Barre. The lecture also serves as this year’s Peace and Justice Center’s Barbara Sabol Memorial Lecture.

Dr. Darby’s lecture follows a King’s College panel discussion held during the fall semester concerning questions of race, policing, and social justice in the wake of the events in Ferguson, Missouri. Dr. Darby’s lecture will encourage reflection on the questions: How is the racist ideology of the past (that blacks are inferior to whites in intelligence and character) sustained by systemic practices within our schools today, and why is this unjust? 

Dr. Darby is a professor of philosophy at the University of Michigan and Visiting Professor of Law at the University of Chicago School of Law and writes about rights, inequality, and race. He is the author of “Rights, Race, and Recognition,” and co-editor of “Hip Hop and Philosophy: Rhyme 2 Reason.” His forthcoming co-authored book is on the origins of the racial achievement gap in education.

The Barbara Sabol Memorial Lecture Series is designed to promote awareness of peace and social issues by bringing recognized personalities to speak to the local community. The lecture is named for a founding member of the Peace and Justice Center who died in 1997. The Peace and Justice Center is NEPA’s interfaith resource center for issues of peace and justice.

The Burke Auditorium is located in the William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street. Parking will be available in on-campus lots. For more information, please contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director, McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5689.