The University of Georgia hosted its first Symposium on Recognition, Reconciliation and Redress on Friday and Saturday, a series of presentations and performances dedicated to discussing the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery on the university and the city of Athens.
The event brought together more than 50 speakers and participants from all over the country, particularly the Athens area.
This yearâs symposium was organized by its eight-member planning committee, many of whom are educators and researchers connected to the university.
âWe believe the collective knowledge about and experiences of racism and white supremacy held among those who have come together as part of this symposium must play a larger role in the ways that the University of Georgia shapes its future,â said symposium planning committee member Amy Andrews during introductory remarks Friday morning.
Various University of Georgia departments have come together to sponsor the 2021 Symposium on Recognition, Reconciliation and Redress this Friday and Saturday, a virtual look back at slavery on campus and the repercussions Athens faces today because of it.
The two-day event will consist of 14 sessions detailing the universityâs ties to slavery, including lectures from guest speakers and performances from UGA students and community members. Sessions one through seven will be held Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The remaining sessions will be held the next day from 9 a.m. until 5:45 p.m.
Each session will last about an hour and groups will break for a 30-minute lunch both days.