Program touches on civil rights’ progress from emancipation until now

September 5, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — An upcoming program at the University of Florida will examine the civil rights struggles of African-Americans from 1863 to now.

The Sept. 9 program starts at 6 p.m in Smathers Library Room 1A. It’s titled “Emancipation Betrayed? The 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, and the Justice for Trayvon Martin Movement.”

The panel’s moderator will be Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, a lecturer of African-American studies at UF.

Speakers and their topics are:

Paul Ortiz, associate professor of history. ”The Attempt to Reconstruct Democracy in America: Commemorating Emancipation(s) in the Century of Black Anti-Imperialist, 1820s-1920s.”

Zoharah Simmons, lecturer of African-American studies and religion. “The 1963 March on Washington: The Myths vs. The Realities.”

Nailah Summers and Shamile Louis, undergraduate students. “Reflections from Two of the Dream Defenders on the Justice for Trayvon Martin Movement.”