Faculty Experts to Provide Perspective on Recent Elections and Mistrial

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cincinnati will host a faculty panel titled “What now? Faculty experts respond to post-election, post-trial questions,” at 2 p.m., Wed., Nov. 16, in the Tangeman University Center Great Hall. 

Panelists include Professor Laura Jenkins (political science; women, gender and sexuality studies; Asian studies), Assistant Professor David Niven (political science), Associate Professor Elizabeth Frierson (Asian studies) and Associate Professor Littisha Bates (sociology, Africana studies). The panel is free and open to the public.

They will examine the events that include the presidential election, the hung jury in the trial of former UC police officer Ray Tensing and the strong emotional responses these have elicited from the community.

After the jury decision was announced on Saturday, Nov. 12, UC Interim President Beverly Davenport invited the campus to a gathering on Monday, Nov. 14. In her invitation, she stated, “On behalf of the University of Cincinnati, I extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the tragic loss of Samuel DuBose. We cannot and will not let the outcome of this trial divide us. We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a just community anchored in trust, care, integrity and equity. Our campus and our community will come together to listen, to heal and to partner for positive and lasting change. More than ever, our communities need us – and we need each other – to be beacons of a better and brighter future.”

The Nov. 16 panel discussion will seek to shed light, from a multi-disciplinary point of view, on what these events may mean for our  campus, city and country.

Jennifer Malat, associate dean for social sciences and professor of sociology, stated, “We put the panel together to address questions and concerns that were coming to us from students and other members of the community after the election and the Tensing trial. Those in the panel were invited because individually, and together, they have expertise and experience with such events. They can help the UC community understand the current social and political landscape, and how we can best move forward together.”

Marilyn Kershaw, A&S chief diversity officer and director of the A&S Office of Diversity and Access, added, “It’s important to understand that we will be inclusive and sensitive to ALL members of our community, with this event and in general. We wanted to create a safe space to continue conversations about what has happened and what people think will happen post-election and post-trial. We are providing suggestions about how we can respond as a community and move forward in a positive manner. Even if we disagree on Wednesday, or at any time, we expect people to treat each other with civility and respect.”

Related events taking place this week include:

Breaking the Silence: White Allies Speak Up on Thursday, Nov. 17

Lunch from 11:30 a.m.-noon, program from noon-1:30 p.m. in the African American Cultural and Resource Center

This interactive workshop will consist of comments from four panelists on what it means to be an effective white ally and why allies are important, followed by small group discussions of related topics. Panelists include Jennifer Malat, associate dean for the social sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences; Littisha Bates, associate professor in sociology; Brice Mickey, program coordinator for RAPP (The Racial Awareness Program) in Student Activities and Leadership Development; and Ainsley Lambert-Swain, doctoral candidate in sociology. 

Sponsors: Taft Research Center, College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Department. RSVP not required.

“The Revolution Will Be Live” Concert, Poetry and Art Collective on Friday, Nov. 18

8-11 p.m., TUC Great Hall

The LGBTQ Center will bring together activists and artists from the #translivesmatter and #blacklives matter communities for a night of remembrance, resistance, celebration and organizing. Performers include Amet Ricket, Siri Imani, Aziza Love, Mars, Rae’Soleil and UC’s Black Art Collective. 

Sponsor: LGBTQ Center, Division of Student Affairs