Beyond Race
May 1995

The practice of racial discrimination has been costly and divisive throughout American history. Can Americans turn race relations into human relations? 'Black Issues Forum,' "Beyond Race," airing on University of North Carolina Television (UNC-TV) Thursday, June 8 at 8 p.m., looks at the persistent problem of race relations in America with an eye toward solutions.

Four panelists with varied opinions and ideas interact with audience, bringing all aspects of race relations to the table for discussion. Panelists are Rev. Grover C. Burthey, Jr., attorney and minister; Janora McDuffie, graduate of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and UNC-Chapel Hill Morehead Scholar; Toni E. Weaver, psychologist, author and trainer/consultant in race relations; and Arthur C. Zeidman, attorney and member of the John Lock Foundation.

Folded into the lively discussion are videotaped segments featuring Duke University history professor Dr. John Hope Franklin, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor-Elect Michael Hooker, Harvard professor Cornell West and others who address how race relations affect the economic, educational and criminal justice systems in American life.

Black Issue Forum, "Beyond Race" is part of Public Broadcasting System's two-year national campaign focusing on youth violence.

Closed captioning of Black Issues Forum is made possible by a grant from the Janirve Foundation.

Host/Panelists

Valeria Lee:
The moderator for "Black Issues Forum" is Valeria Lee, program Development Officer for Z. Smith Reynold Foundation

Rev. Grover C. Burthey, Jr.
A Durham native, he graduated Phillips Andover Academy and attended Howard University. He graduated Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and was licensed as a funeral director and embalmer in 1975. He graduated Duke University cum laude with a B.A. degree in English in 1977 and graduated UNC School of Law in 1981. Hew worked as a legislative counsel at the N.C. General Assembly 1985- 1988 and since been in private practice of law and manager of the family funeral business. Ordained as a minister of the gospel at Christian Faith Center of Creedmore, NC in 1987. Married since 1982, to Pamela Monk Burthey and the father of three sons.

Toni E. Weaver
Toni E. Weaver is a white woman, window and mother of four young adults. While she was an accountant in her Ohio suburban community, she became involved as a volunteer with her city in passing an ordinance against discrimination. From this experience, she began to realize the magnitude and injustice of racism in America. In attempting to help the people she knew understand, she became committed to the elimination of racism in America.

She now holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and serves as a trainer/consultant in the area of race relations. She has been nominated to be in "2000 Notable Women of America" and "The World's Who's Who of Women."

BOOK: "White To White On Black/White"

How to answer those questions whites have on Black/White relations and become part of the solution in eliminating racism in America.

Some of the questions addressed are:

Are you part of the problem? What can I do?

What do "they" want to be called?

Why not just hire the best qualified?

Is it true that Black men are bigger (and better) in bed?

Black men want to marry white women to improve their status or to get revenge, don't they?

The children of interracial marriage suffer; why subject them to the pain? Kind should stick to kind, shouldn't they?

If Blacks just work hard and get an education, they wouldn't have a problem, would they?

I never did anything to Blacks: do I have to be responsible for our ancestors?

Isn't prejudice getting less with each generation? Things are much better now, haven't we made progress?

Why do Blacks kill each other?

What does color matter?

I don't look at color, only the person?

Why are Blacks so angry?

It makes white more fearful. What are the future consequences for America if racism continues?

Janora McDuffee
Presently, Janora is attending the North Carolina School of Science and Math. She was recently selected to be a Morehead Scholar and will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this coming fall. She has a rich background in working with popular causes which includes peers counseling on HIV to community concerns which includes promoting positive role models and leadership training.

Arthur C. Zeidman
Attorney and member of the John Lock Foundation.