*This is a virtual event.*

RACE TALKS in Review 2021 Series Synopsis:
Join us in September, October, and November, for a special series, RACE TALKS in Review, where we revisit archived forums that resonate as powerfully today as they did when we first hosted them. We will revisit conversations in community gun violence and trauma; houselessness and homelessness in Portland; and how to engage in civic duty. Over the next three months, we invite you to attend our live virtual forums and engage in dynamic, facilitated discussion. Special guest attendees will be present to discuss how the topic is still relevant today. Please save these dates:

• September 16, 2021 Forum: Kin Killin' Kin: Resolving Gun Violence in America (recorded March 14, 2017)
• October 21, 2021 Forum: Engaging Democracy (recorded February 12, 2019)
• November 18, 2021 Forum: Houseless in Portlandia (recorded April 9, 2019)

Kin Killin' Kin: Resolving Gun Violence in America

On March 14, 2017 we hosted the forum, Kin Killin' Kin: Resolving Gun Violence in America, which was inspired by James Pate's featured art exhibit, "Kin Killin' Kin;" and Passin Art's theater production, "The Gospel of Loving Kindness." The forum explored gun violence in America through artistic expression, personal testimony, trauma recovery, policing, community advocacy, and race and racism.

Our panelists included: Kimberly Dixon (Enough is Enough) Dr. Cyn Cannais (Avel Gordly Center for Healing); Captain Andy Shearer (Portland Police Bureau Gang Task Force); and Luis Aguilar (STRYVE--Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere).

This month, we revisit this panel discussion of gun violence with a sense of urgency and new obstacles to address:

• City of Portland's gun violence has reached a national high and echos rising gun related violence seen throughout the country;
• The rise of white nationalism challenges the narrative that gang violence is limited to Black and Brown communities;
• Portland City Council eliminated the Police Gang Task Force in 2020; and
• Portland's Police Bureau is facing increased scrutiny from the community and the Department of Justice.

About Race Talks

For over a decade, RACE TALKS has been a resounding success in Portland, Oregon, offering monthly community forums on various topics through the lens of race. RACE TALKS has presented over 150 forums to 20,000+ participants. This was possible through our partnership with Portland-based McMenamins, which afforded us a monthly venue every 2nd Tuesday of the month at its Kennedy School location.

Due to COVID, RACE TALKS rolled out a virtual forum in June 2020, which meets every 3rd Thursday of the month. While we have taken an almost year-long hiatus from in-person programming, we are happy to announce that McMenamins is now a sponsor of our virtual forums. We encourage our virtual attendees to grab some cajun tots and a pint to-go. Stay tuned for our return to in-person programming at McMenamins Kennedy School!