Renowned anti-racism educator Tim Wise will be the featured speaker at the next event in the Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) “Contemporary Conversations” series. “On Race, Class and Privilege: An Evening with Tim Wise” will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, at the Rockville Memorial Library.
Mr. Wise will examine the connections between systemic racism, white racial privilege and America’s class system, with particular attention to the current backlash to racial justice efforts in schools and the workplace since the 2020 racial justice uprising. He is the author of several books, including his highly acclaimed memoir, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.
The Rockville Memorial Library is located at 21 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. Advanced registration is required to attend. For more information, visit https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/11008211.
“We welcome Tim Wise to Montgomery County Public Libraries’ ‘Contemporary Conversations’ series,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Mr. Wise's work on anti-racism and his insights into the intersections of race, class and privilege are more important now than ever. His dedication to educating and challenging us to confront systemic racism aligns with our county’s commitment to equity and social justice. I encourage residents to attend this event and engage in these crucial conversations that help us move towards a more just and inclusive society.”
Mr. Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the U.S. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states. He has appeared on more than 1,500 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences and before community groups nationwide. Mr. Wise also has trained corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military and medical industry professionals on methods for dismantling racial inequity in their institutions. He has provided anti-racism training to educators and administrators nationwide and internationally.
A question-and-answer session and a book signing will follow Mr. Wise’s presentation. His book, White Like Me, will be available for purchase at the event from the Friends of the Library Montgomery County or by clicking here.
This Contemporary Conversations program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library Montgomery County, Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships and Classrooms 2 Community.
For more information about previous speakers, click here.