The authors of the book, “Christianity and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation,” will be the guest speakers at the next Conversations on Race and Policing.

The program, free and open to the public, will take place on Zoom beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13. It can be accessed from a PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android at https://tinyurl.com/csusb-race-policing.

In their book, Robert Chao Romero and Jeff Liou “explore aspects of critical race theory that resonate with well-trod Christian doctrine but also that challenge or are corrected by Christian theology,” according to the publisher’s website. “They also address the controversial connection that critics see between critical race theory and Marxism. Their aim is to offer objective analysis and critique that go beyond the debates about social identity and the culture wars and aid those who are engaging the issues in Christian life and ministry.”

Romero, a UCLA professor of history, was the guest speaker at the Oct. 15, 2020, Conversations on Race and Policing program, during which he discussed his book, “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice and Identity.” 

Liou is the national director of theological formation for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. 

Conversations on Race and Policing began after the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and its aftermath. It was the death of Floyd, a Black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer, that sparked widespread protests, calls for reform and revamping of the nation’s policing system, difficult and hard conversations on race and racism – and gave birth to Cal State San Bernardino’s Conversations on Race and Policing, also known as CoRP.

In subsequent court cases, three other former Minneapolis police officers implicated in Floyd’s death were given prison sentences.

The series has featured scholars, journalists, law enforcement officers, lawyers, activists, artists, educators, administrators and others from throughout the nation who shared their experience and expertise on issues related to race and policing.

More than 90 forums have taken place, and video recordings of the sessions are posted online on the Conversations on Race and Policing Lecture Series Archive. 

The guest presenters in the upcoming programs of Conversations on Race and Policing, each at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, include:

The series is organized by Matt Patino (CSUSB MA candidate); CSUSB faculty members Mary Texeira (sociology) and Jeremy Murray (history); Robie Madrigal, public affairs/communication specialist for the CSUSB John M. Pfau Library; Michael German, fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice; and community member Stan Futch, president of the Westside Action Group.

For more information, contact Robie Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu or Jeremy Murray at jmurray@csusb.edu.

Also visit the Conversations on Race and Policing webpage.