U.S. Democracy and the Contested Notion of One Person, One Vote

Feb 20 2008 - 7:30pm
Feb 20 2008 - 9:00pm

U.S. Democracy and the Contested Notion of One Person, One Vote

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 / 7:30pm

Cowell College Dining Hall, UCSC

Free, open to the public


Concluding a three part series about the state of U.S. democracy, Cowell College presents a speaker panel featuring UCSC faculty members Paul Ortiz (Community Studies), Michael Brown (Politics) and moderator David Anthony (History). The panel will be discussing voting rights, minority disenfranchisement and election integrity. They will examine the ties between racism, economic inequality and the elimination of African American and Latina/o votes and voices throughout history and today.

Themes from the first two films in the event series, American Blackout and Hacking Democracy, will also be discussed. These include an analysis of what happened in Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004 where the historical background of disenfranchisement in the U.S. can be seen in the present day. Other issues around the political process, election secrecy and its ties with race and class will also be looked at. In addition, the panelists will provide commentary on the recent primary elections.

Please join us as these highly engaging and passionate faculty members look into some of the most pressing and vital issues we face today regarding our democracy. Following the panel discussion will be Q&A for the audience members.

For maps, directions and parking information, please visit http://cowell.ucsc.edu/votes.

Participant biographies:

Paul Ortiz, an award-winning author, oral historian, and labor activist, received his Ph.D. in history from Duke University in 2000. Some of his areas of research include studies and social documentation on African American history, the social and political history of the U.S. and Latino studies.

Michael Brown, author of numerous publications discussing race and equality, received his Ph.D. from UC Los Angeles in 1976. His areas of research include the changing notions of equality of opportunity, and racial inequality and the moments in U.S. history where equality has been defined.

David Anthony, associate professor at UCSC and author, received his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Some of his studies include African American history and culture as well as African and African American linkages.

 


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