Elon experts to discuss race, policing and justice following Chauvin conviction

Following the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, a panel of Elon experts is prepared to open an important dialogue about the trial, conviction and what the decision could mean for America.

The panel, titled “A Divided America: A conversation on race, policing and justice,” will be carried live via Zoom on Wednesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Elon’s Council on Civic Engagement and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE).

Six Elon faculty and staff members will discuss the Chauvin conviction, as well as broader topics regarding policing and justice in America in a conversation moderated by Damion Blake, assistant professor of political science and policy studies. The conversation is meant to educate and engage the campus community in a respectful conversation about the historic verdict.

“Students may have many questions as they have watched the news unfold around this trial,” said Carrie Eaves, Faculty Fellow for Civic Engagement and associate professor of political science and policy studies. “Our hope is to provide the students, and the broader Elon community, with commentary from a diverse panel of experts from across campus so that students can thoughtfully consider issues of race and justice in the United States and provide additional historical context.”

The six-member expert panel will include:

• Rochelle Ford, dean of the School of Communications

• Steve Friedland, senior scholar and professor of law at the Elon University School of Law
• Charles Irons, professor of history
• Joe LeMire, chief of Campus Safety and Police
• Buffie Longmire-Avital, associate professor of psychology
• Wendy Scott, associate dean for academic success and professor of law

Click here to register for “A Divided America: A conversation on race, policing and justice.”