This year university campuses across the country have echoed with the voices of protestors calling for a stronger response to racism in the university community. Meanwhile, tensions on campus have sparked an important conversation about the role of free speech, freedom of expression and political correctness.
Yale University faculty member Erika Christakis resigned after igniting protests when she said that students should be free to push boundaries with Halloween costumes, even to the point of offense. And at Wesleyan University, student leaders voted to cut funding to a campus newspaper after it published an Op-Ed criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement.
Are we watching the next stage of the Civil Rights movement unfolding on our college campuses? Have we arrived at a place as Americans where we can finally talk about race and racism in a way that may lead to a deep transformation of our culture? Or has it gone too far? What is the role of open dialogue and free speech, especially in an academic environment?
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) in Chester will mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday evening, Jan. 15, 2016 when Wesleyan University President and CBSRZ congregant, Dr. Michael Roth will address these questions. Roth will speak during the annual Erev Shabbat service honoring Dr. King. This service will also include Civil Rights songs led by the CBSRZ choir under the direction of Meg Gister.
Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is located at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. For more information, call the CBSRZ office 860-526-8920 or visit www.cbsrz.org.