CRSP Update

Reflections and Response

Given the state of race relations in this country, the University of Pittsburgh Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) has much work yet to do. When we launched the center in 2002, the country was flirting with the idea that we had reached a postracial era. However, considering the racial divisiveness and anger that have come with the most recent presidential election, this clearly is not the case.

We have always attempted to make the activities of the center relevant to both scholars and community practitioners. This past fall was no exception. Our speaker series has established a huge following. Each month, we attract new attendees. In fact, we have had to designate an overflow room, which also now frequently overflows.

This past fall, Frank Dobbin, professor of sociology at Harvard University, spoke about some of the shortcomings of diversity training programs. Richard Rothstein, a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute, spoke to us about how the Federal Housing Administration has a history of racial discrimination in its housing policies. We also were very fortunate to have Allegheny County Police Department Assistant Superintendent Maurita Bryant, a Pittsburgh law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, talk to us about how both race and gender have challenged her career as a police officer.

Finally, James Huguley, who is a relatively new faculty member in the School of Social Work, reported on his recent study about racial bias in school suspensions of Black youths. Each of these talks was well received. As is true for all of our events, all of these presentations were videotaped and can be found on our Web site, crsp.pitt.edu. We always want to acknowledge the sponsors of our fall lecture series, the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. Without its support, the lecture series would not be possible.

Friends of the Center

Every other year, we host a friends of the center reception. The most recent event, held in fall 2016, was well attended. This reception, we believe, is the most diverse gathering of individuals that takes place under the auspices of the University. Those who attend are University staff, faculty, researchers, and graduate students; lawmakers; activists; civic leaders; philanthropists; and other college and University leaders. At this fall’s gathering, City of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto spoke, as did Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. Both applauded the center for its work in the university and in the community. We greatly appreciate their sustained support.

Summer Institutes

We are at this time in the process of planning our 2017 Summer Institutes. We anticipate doing one on race and child welfare, one on race and education, and finally one on race and criminal justice. As you are perhaps aware, the foremost goal of the Summer Institutes is to disseminate the most up-to-date race-related information to civic and community leaders and practitioners.

Race and Social Problems

Now in its eighth year, our journal, Race and Social Problems, has been very successful, and it continues to attract top academics from a variety of disciplines who tackle topics that run the gamut. We are very pleased with its increasing appeal to scholars of various disciplines.

Cuba 2017

As part of the Cuban Social Policy Issues course,
we took a group of 10 students to Cuba over spring break. The course itself was taught by Dean Larry E. Davis and Associate Dean Valire Copeland with the help of Assistant Professor Jaime Booth. Davis and Assistant Professor James Huguley accompanied the students to Cuba, where they investigated Cuba’s approach to social and health services and explored some aspects of Cuban culture. Upon their return, students wrote research papers on a topic of their choice. Photos from the trip are featured above and on the opposite page.

CRSP Fellows

Our CRSP fellows are continuing to do great work in the community. First and foremost, they are working hard at the Homewood Children’s Village, where academic and emotional support groups are available for children who attend Homewood schools.

Overall, the fall was a huge success!