2021 Symposium -- Beyond the Rhetoric: Civil Rights & Our Shared Responsibility by Rothko Chapel

In conjunction with the Chapel’s 50th Anniversary and commitment to furthering social justice nationally and internationally, this two-part event series will examine different understandings of and approaches to furthering human rights and civil liberties in the United States.

The opening lecture series taking place July through October 2021 provides a unique suite of virtual programs featuring keynote speakers and panelists who will share both the historical contexts and contemporary conditions for understanding some of the critical civil and human rights issues of today. This conversation continues with a multi-day virtual symposium in 2022, allowing further engagement with seasoned and emerging social justice leaders to explore intersecting civil and human rights topics, including how individuals, grassroots initiatives, and policy makers can work together to create a more equitable future for all.

Questions that this two-part series will explore include: How have civil rights historically been understood and applied in this country? Who benefits from current civil rights, and who has been left out? Which civil rights and liberties are particularly at-risk today? How can we become more effective advocates and activists as we work to address injustice and create an equitable society? How can we rethink our approaches to the concept of rights, responsibilities, and civil liberties? And how can we sustain our passion for social justice and long-haul activism?

Contains tracks

• Our Moral Obligation: Ensuring the Dignity of All 7.22.21 by Rothko Chapel
• The Struggle for Equality: LGBTQIA+ Rights 9.8.21 by Rothko Chapel
• American Indian Worldview and the Concept of Rights 9.30.21 by Rothko Chapel
• Defending & Advancing the Rights of Immigrants 10.13.21 by Rothko Chapel