Words of the Work: A Survey of the Semantics of Social Justice (In Person)

Words have histories, and they are also dangerous. In some cases, they can be so dangerous that their history is also a story of how their meaning has been manipulated or even hidden by those in positions of power. Join us for this examination of the language related to the social justice and racial equity movement, and think critically about how we came to use certain words, how we currently use them, and whether or not other words might be more effective. Together we will explore the origin, evolution, and contemporary use of five phrases – affirmative action, critical race theory, reparations, gentrification, and redlining – and uncover how we relate to the social issues that these phrases address. Participants are invited to bring their own research, their deeply held beliefs, and their lived experiences, to contribute to the conversation.