Discussions on racism in county to kick off next week

A series of discussions to address racism in Ozaukee County will be held in coming weeks “with the goal of turning the page on longstanding issues on race and social justice in our communities,” according to county officials.

“Ozaukee County Talks About Race” is a series of discussions that coincide with Martin Luther King Day on Monday, Jan. 18, and with February as Black History Month.

The series kicks off with a community conversation event at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, held via Zoom. 

The event is hosted by University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Ozaukee County, Bridge the Divide and Ozaukee County government. 

The community conversation will serve as an introduction to a series of book discussions at local libraries.

Registration is available online at www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/2649/Ozaukee-County-Talks-About-Race#.

“Ozaukee County Talks About Race has a simple goal of continuing the community conversation about the impact of race in our relationships and interactions today, while deepening the understanding of how our shared past history has shaped the communities where we live,” Ozaukee County Administrator Jason Dzwinel said in a press release. 

The book discussion schedule is:

• 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18 at Cedarburg Public Library, “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein.

• 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, at W.J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington, “Stamped From the Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi and “(YA) Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You” by Jason Reynolds.

• 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19, at USS Liberty Memorial Public Library in Grafton, “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo.

• 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, at Oscar Grady Public Library in Saukville, “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi.

• 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4 at Frank L. Weyenberg Library, Mequon, “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein.

Attendance at the book discussions can be done remotely. Social distancing will be followed for those attending in person.

“This community collaboration is the fulfilment of a vision that Bridge the Divide has long held for Ozaukee County,” Erica Turner, executive director of Bridge the Divide said in the press release.

“Educating ourselves about the roots of racism and building our collective awareness, no matter the discomfort, is necessary and transformational,” she said.