HREI hosts Juneteenth panel

| June 19, 2021 1:00 AM

COEUR d'ALENE — The Human Rights Education Institute is hosting the annual Juneteenth Leadership Panel and Community Conversation from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

It is free.

This year’s themes include bouncing back from COVID-19, racial and social inequity, white supremacy and extremist groups, "and other issues causing incivility in our region."

“We must be passionately, as a community, 'anti-racist,'” said Jeanette Laster, HREI programs and development manager. "This requires us to be conscious of our American bias toward white supremacy, to actively listen to stories of oppressed individuals and groups, and to discuss, adopt, and deliver quality solutions that build more equitable environments for all our citizens."

Citizen and student guests have been invited to share personal stories of related situations that have impacted them.

The goal of civil communication is to engage another person in a conversation that acknowledges diverse values, beliefs and attitudes while embracing the potential of mutual respect, a press release said.

The panel will be moderated by Laster and Dr. Scott Finnie, senior faculty member and Director of Africana Studies at Eastern Washington University.

Chili tasting will be available at 1:30 p.m.