University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

October 16, 2001

Contact:Anne Dybek (312) 996-8279; adybek@uic.edu

UIC HOSTS CONFERENCE ON RACE AND ETHNICITY

The University of Illiniois at Chicago will host a conference, "The Changing Terrain of Race and Ethnicity: Theory, Methods and Public Policy," Oct. 26-27 at the Chicago Illini Union, 828 S. Wolcott Ave.

Prominent scholars will assemble at the national conference to provide insights into the changing terrain of race and ethnicity with regard to theory, methods and public policy.

"The conference will examine the dramatic racial and demographic changes that are occurring and the very meanings of race and racism," said Cedric Herring, UIC professor of sociology. "While few Americans would take exception to the dream put forth by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King that all people should be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, the reality is that racial considerations shade almost everything that happens in this country, as racial minorities continue to lag well behind whites in income, quality of housing, health, occupational status, and virtually every relevant social indicator."

Herring said that while there has been a real shift in attitudes and perceptions, racial and ethnic inequalities have been slower to change.

The conference will focus on four specific areas: shifting racial attitudes; the relationship of race, ethnicity and gender; race and the boundaries of racial categories; and how these transformations are demonstrated in social institutions and public policies.

- UIC -