Past the Klan: The Roots of Racism in IPS & Beyond

40 East Saint Clair Street,Indianapolis IN 46204

10 November, 2021

Description

In this Spirit & Place event, attendees read and discuss historic documents to dispel urban myths about the roots of racism in IPS. Past the Klan: The Roots of Racism in IPS & Beyond, part of the Spirit & Place Festival, is an interactive investigation into our school district's past. Four break-out groups will explore news articles, interviews, period literature, historic documents and cartoons to dispel urban myths and unpack mysteries, ultimately to uncover who really built the segregated Crispus Attucks High School and ran a deeply racist school system for decades. In addition, the event will expose the idea that the bigoted history of IPS and education in Indianapolis moves beyond race to include discrimination around religion, class, ethnicity, ability, vocation, and even gender and geography. Created by the Charles E. & Virginia P. Loflin Center on the History of the Indianapolis Public Schools in partnership with the Kheprw Institute, Dr. Richard Pierce, Virgil and Sheila Boyd, The Historic Journey, The Black & Latino Policy Institute, Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Brown, and Families Talk: IPS Oral Histories. ABOUT SPIRIT & PLACE. The Spirit & Place Festival (Nov. 4-14) celebrates the powerful role the arts, humanities and religion play in community life and is housed in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. Learn more at spiritandplaceindy.org or 317-274-2462.