Chief Justice Strine participates in Delaware Historical Society panel discussion about race

Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. was one of four panelists to participate in the Delaware Historical Society's panel discussion, "The Conversation about ‘The Conversation' About Race," on March 24, 2016. The event explored how the community can have a direct and respectful discussion about the intersection of race and public policy. The conversation was structured in four parts: What should we be talking about? What is stopping us? What must we do to make progress? and Where do we go from here?

The 90-minute program was moderated by former News Journal Editorial Page Editor John Sweeney and the other panelists included community educator, activist and playwright Beatrice Coker; Colonel Elmer Setting of the New Castle County Police and Wilmington Hope Commission Executive Director Charles A. Madden.

In his opening remarks, Chief Justice Strine said that people of good faith, talking candidly and directly about race is "a critical factor that will determine whether our society can make progress in increasing racial harmony and decreasing racial inequality." The Chief Justice then detailed a sobering list of statistics to set the stage for the conversation, including numbers on the stark disparity between blacks and whites related to poverty, education and incarceration rates. In the Delaware Courts, the Chief Justice noted the Court's Access to Justice Program and its Committee on Fairness in the Criminal Justice System is currently focused on examining racial disparities and is looking at ways to reduce those disparities while maintaining public safety. The Chief Justice concluded by saying he hoped the conversation on March 24th would "help begin a longer-term, sustained community conversation."

About 100 people attended the March 24 event at the Historical Society's Copeland Room at their Market Street location in Wilmington. The discussion was the inaugural program in the society's new Contemporary History Series.

Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr., (left) makes a point during the panel discussion on race at the Delaware Historical Society on March 24 as (from left to right) Beatrice Coker, John Sweeney, Charles Madden and Col. Elmer Setting look on.

Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. (right) speaks with several audience members after the March 24 panel discussion at the Delaware Historical Society on Market Street in Wilmington.

For more information please contact:
Sean O’Sullivan
Chief of Community Relations
302-255-0093 or Sean.O’Sullivan@delaware.gov