In continuation of community-wide conversations following recent events in Ferguson, MO., David Canton, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at Connecticut College, explored America’s history of racial and sexual violence in Kemper Auditorium on Thursday night. “[Canton] is coming to give historical context to the Ferguson and [Staten Island] situations and why there is such a strong and momentous response to the deaths of these two men,” wrote Linda Carter Griffith, Dean of Community and Multicultural Development, in an email to The Phillipian. Canton’s lecture was followed by a Q&A session. “[Canton] will answer even your most difficult questions,” said Griffith, before the presentation. “We have a lot to learn from our history — these deaths of Brown and Garner are not isolated, and students should have information to help them have conversations about these difficult topics. We owe it to the community to provide opportunities for education and dialogue in these challenging times in our nation. You must understand the history that has led us to this moment,” continued Griffith. Canton’s presentation is a part of a series of programs at Andover initiated to address issues of race in the United States. The programs will be developed further over the course of the year. For example, a panel will most likely be organized to take place after Winter Break, in which select students, faculty and alumni will discuss issues of race, according to Griffith.
