Images of Justice and Injustice
A REFLECTION UTILIZING “PULITZER PRIZE PHOTOGRAPHS”
Experiencing systemic injustice such as racism, misogyny, and colonialism can be hard to name. And even after seeing and naming this kind of injustice, people struggle with how it is normalized and hidden. Why and how is systemic injustice normalized? How can we stop the perpetuation of injustice within our institutions and communities? How do we move away from blaming individuals toward creating systems of justice?
Creighton University Graduate School, in cooperation with the Durham Museum and Omaha Community, explored these questions of social justice during a recent “Speaking Truths” panel inspired by images in the Durham Museum's featured exhibition, "Pulitzer Prize Photographs" developed by the Newseum.
The event featured esteemed panelists from Creighton University and the Omaha Community, including:
- Jacqueline N. Font-Guzmán, Professor and Director, NCR Program, Creighton University
- Palma Strand, Professor, NCR Program and Director, 2040 Initiative, Creighton University
- Christopher Whitt, Vice-Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Creighton University
- Barry Thomas, Director of Equity and Diversity, Omaha Public Schools
- Yvonne Sosa, Assistant Public Defender, Douglas County
- Shaun Ilahi, Photographer and Nonprofit Attorney
During a livestream discussion, panelists shared their experiences recognizing and naming justice and injustice, using images they selected from the "Pulitzer Prize Photographs" exhibition at The Durham Museum.
The program was organized by Creighton University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (NCR) Program and the 2040 Initiative in the Graduate School. The NCR Program forms conflict competent agents of social change for an equitable world. The 2040 Initiative, housed in the NCR Program, teaches students to engage in constructive conversations arising from changing demographics in the U.S.—individually and as members of institutions and communities.
“PULITZER PRIZE PHOTOGRAPHS” was developed by the Newseum/Freedom Forum and is on display at The Durham Museum through September 20, 2020.
Watch the full discussion below.