AKRON, Ohio — It’s no longer just a moment, it’s a movement.
When George Floyd was killed as the entire world watched in horror, people from all races, nationalities and walks of life demanded justice for him and all Black people.
"The idea was to respond to the times, to respond to the current moment when there’s so much fervent and so much passion,” said University of Akron Law Professor Brant Lee.
The University of Akron School of Law is working to do its part by offering a brand new class—Racial Equality and the Law—which Lee will teach.
It will cover the bad.
"Our focus is going to be particularly on the impact of law on racial inequality,” said Lee.
It will also point to the progress.
"Also, how law sometimes is put in place to elevate so we get the civil rights act, and we get anti-discrimination provisions,” he said.
The live, 12-week online course is free and open to the public. There’s already 2,200 people from across the country signed up.
"After this summer it really opened my eyes of how people are being treated and it broke my heart,” said Sarah Horn.
Horn is a recent University of Akron graduate and not a law student, she wants to learn more about the Black community.
"I just want to be able to be there in ways they might need me to be there, I’m hoping this class will help me open my eyes more so I can learn to see what they need from me,” she said.
Just as students and Lee are excited for the course, so is NAACP Akron President Judith Hill. She is encouraging everyone to join the class, not just white people.
"I really believe that in order for social change to really occur, it’s going to take all of us,” said Hill.
Hill says she signed up for the course too and says she can’t wait to see what’s next for this movement.
"We saw it in the civil rights, we’ve seen this before, this groundswell of individuals that want to learn information that want more, we need to take advantage of that,” said Hill.
To sign up for Racial Equality and the Law click, here.
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