Colorblind Racism?
The Politics of Controlling Racial and Ethnic Data

October 2-3, 2003
Stanford University

Opening Keynote: "Race and the News: Why Numbers Matter"

Plenary — "The Continuing Significance of Race: Social Science Evidence"

This panel of social scientists locates Proposition 54 in the context of American society today. The central thesis of the presentations is that this effort to control racial and ethnic data is part of the development of a new form of racism in the United States. Panelists will explore the changes in the ways Americans talk about race since the Jim Crow era, as well as the evidence that racial discrimination remains a significant force in American society.

Impacts I — "Data, Disease and Difference: Why Are The Inequalities In Health So Pervasive?"

The Health Plenary will provide in depth analysis and discussion of how the proposed initiative would affect the collection of racial and ethnic data, how such data informs the practice of health care and medical research, and what may happen if the collection of such data is eliminated.

Impacts II — "Race, Opportunity, and Achievement: Impact on Education"

The Education Plenary will address disparities in education and how education research relies heavily on the collection of racial and ethnic data. It will also draw attention to the ways in which education reform efforts would be stymied by a lack of racial and ethnic data.

Impacts III — "What's Law Got to Do With It?"

This plenary is meant to provide an in-depth analysis of how the elimination of racial and ethnic data would impact the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and criminal justice. Specifically, the panel aims to address how the initiative would prevent civil rights enforcement agencies and legal practitioners from fighting employment and housing discrimination, and would impair our ability to gather data on and analyze patterns of race- or ethnicity-based hate crimes.

Media Panel — Colorblind Journalism? Why Race Matters

Three journalists - from a daily newspaper, television and radio - explore questions about the value of racial and ethnic data to news media, strengths and weaknesses of current coverage and what's needed to strengthen coverage of race and ethnic diversity in all forms of journalism, from mainstream to ethnic media.

Colorblind Racism!
Mapping a Strategy for Social Justice

October 4, 2003
Sheraton Palo Alto

How Think Tanks, Foundations, and Advocacy Groups are Changing America's Social Agenda

National Civil Rights and Media Roundtable

Journalists and academics join advocates to explore how information about civil rights, race and ethnic identity is translated in the public square - and what can be done to better inform their audiences. The format, a facilitated dialogue, is intended to encourage others besides the panelists to participate in the discussion.

Strategy and Organizing Workshops
(Three Selections)

— Social Science Research & Think Tanks
— Campaign Media Training
— Racial Justice and Litigation Implications

Reception & Music at Poolside
featuring the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra

The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra will play music from the Jazz Ballet inspired by the Port Chicago Mutiny which took place in Contra Costa County in World War II. Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP, the ACLU and other activists came to the aid of African-American sailors who were unjustly accused of mutiny. Music has always played an important role in political activism.

Bass player and award-winning composer Marcus Shelby has been called "one of the most diversely talented young artists working in jazz today." His style is anchored in the legacy of Ellington and Mingus, but is thoroughly contemporary . As one reviewer said, "jazz tradition thrives in Shelby's passionate hands."