The state of the black community was the focus of a day-long conference Saturday, as around 40 students and community members gathered in DuBois College House to participate in various discussions, lectures and panels.
The 20th annual Souls of DuBois conference consisted of a brunch followed by a series of three discussions -- focusing on health, education and politics -- and concluded with dinner.
Calling the event "one of the highlight programs of the whole [College House] System," Interim Provost Peter Conn was on hand to "hear as much as [he could] of the panel discussions" and to show his support to the college house community.
Keynote speaker Sateesh Rogers, director of organization for the African People's Socialist Party, delivered an assessment of what he deems to be the core of the problems that have plagued the black community: lack of economic, political and social freedom.
Rogers, focusing on the issues resulting from colonialism -- past, present and current -- that continue to plague blacks, said that an imbalance exists between white and black populations.
Rogers argued that "our lives, our ability to produce and reproduce life for our people to benefit our community is jeopardized because it serves their interest. Someone else controls our right to be free."
Roger's solution is for blacks to be self-determined. "The African world needs to complete the mission ... the right to be free," he said.
The conference was followed with in-depth discussions of important topics affecting the black community.
Rachelle Brunn, a Sociology Ph.D. candidate, looked forward to learning "a little bit more about the future of the black community with regards to health and politics."
Each discussion consisted of at least four panelists talking about issues relating to their area of expertise that affect the black community.
DuBois Dean Patricia Williams was satisfied with the event, which was created to pay tribute to DuBois with involvement coming from both within and outside of the Penn community.
She expressed some disappointment about low student attendance but added, "There are so many things going on on campus today that we conflicted with a number of very important events."
Penn librarian Ancil George thought the conference was "a good way for people from other institutions and the community to get together and talk about what is happening."
