Tanner Lectures on Human Values with Randall L. Kennedy (Harvard Law School) 

A Blueprint for Racial Justice

Thursday, November 14 & Friday, November 15, 2024

4:30-6:30 pm

Friend Center, Lecture Hall 101

Randall L. Kennedy is the Michael R. Klein Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Read his full bio here.

Abstract for Professor Kennedy’s lectures: In 1909, people who were disturbed by the racial situation gathered together and created the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People which was born with a statement of purpose:

Our mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

What would be a suitable statement of purpose, a suitable agenda, and a suitable strategy for those now seeking to effectuate racial justice in America? Answering those questions is Professor Kennedy's mission for the lectures.

Commentators (there will be a total of four):

Two commentators follow each lecture (all commentators are with us both days): Elizabeth Hinton,  Professor of History, African American Studies & Law, Department of History, Yale University; Richard Rothstein, Distinguished Fellow, Economic Policy Institute and  Senior Fellow (emeritus) at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Olúfẹ́mi O.Táíwò, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Georgetown University; 4th commentator (TBD).