Phttfo b> l.ay la Farmer (From left): WFU Law Review Editor Ashley Snyder with symposium editors Brian Dempsey and Manna 7. uchelli . Symposium focuses on courts' response to bias in the workplace BY LAYl.A FARMER llll ( HRONK I I Wake Forest University explored the complex issues raised by the Civil Rights Act of 1491 during a day long symposium last Friday. Hosted by the school's Law Review. '"Twenty Years After the IWI Civil Rights Act: What Poes the Future Hold?" drew panelists and contributors from across the nation. Not as well known as the Civil Rights Act of ll>64 - which essentially ended racial and gender discrimi nation at schools, in the workplace and at public facilities - the Civil Rights Act of 1941 was passed bv Congress ill response to a series ol IS Supreme Court decisions that many believed made it harder for employees to file discrimi nation compliant*. The 1^41 Act made its possible for employment dis crimination trials to be heard by a jury and clear the way for plaintiffs to seek emotional dis tress damages, The Act also - to the dismay of many - cupped the amount of damages a jury can award in such cases. Symposium presenter 1 1 : . l_ . . . i c ~ 1 r / - iviiviiaci .->1:11111 in utiirgc Washington University Law School said thai the damages tap is almost laughable. "It's astounding that within the 20 years, those damage caps remain at $300 .0(H)," stated Se-lmi. who said that raising or lilt ing the cap "is something that does need to he done." Selmi and Duke's Professor Katharine T. Bartlett took part in a discus sion titled. "The Role of Courts in Change." Bartlett questioned whether courts and affirma tive action legislation are effective in ridding society of the evils of racism and sexism. Many object to cur rent of affirmative action measures that appear to give preference to women and minorities. Bartlett said. She added that studies have shown that both the recipi ents of affirmative action and their peers often see affirmative action candi dates as less qualified. Though well meaning, "the law iin its own is not a very effective instrument tor controlling everyday behav Professor I tu lle n Curry look pari in the discussion. tors," she stated. ... q . FuruM L?w Professor Luellen Curry moderated a session entitled "Changing Procedure. Changing Outcomes." Selmi lurry. who has taught at Wake since 1489. said the issues of race, gender and the workplace warrant explo ration. "They're issues that affect everyone," she said. "This coun try is only going to be success! ul when every one is able to exercise those rights that we hold most near, i nat can only nappen with a real understanding of race and how it has impacted us in the past, and how it continues to impact us today. We can't solve those prob lems until we understand that. So I think it's important that everyone has an educa tion (on the subject)." As an African American female. Curry says she has benefitted greatly from the presence of affirmative action Though it is viewed negatively bv many, espe cially those who believe that it allows unqualified candi dates to occupy jobs simply because of their race or sex. Curry says affirmative action has enabled many qualified candidates to be productive and successful in careers that they were once shut out off. "I don't mind someone giving me the opportunity to show that I can do this just as well as everyone else," she said. "I think that's all it is. just giving people the opportunity to show that they can do the job." Brian Dempsey, a third year WFU law student, co produced the y>inpusitnn wah i fellow law student Alanna Zuchelli. "I think the level of inter est that we've had from local attorneys, and the support that we've received from other members of the Triad community has shown us that there is a continuing dialogue about Civil Rights in North Carolina and the U.S.," said Dempsey. "I think the idea of civil rights is woven into the community and the fabric of society. I don't think it's an issue that ever gets away from peo ple's hearts, and the atten dance at today's event speaks to that." The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published e\ery Thursda\ by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc.. 617 N. Liberty Street. Winston-Salem. N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem. N.C. Annual subscription price is $30.72. . - POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle. P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem. NC 27102-1636 News Clips Artist needs donations of items The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) will be presenting an exhibition by artist Shinique Smith beginning on Nov. 18. For the exhibition, titled "Every Brick," Smith is collecting donations of the following items for use in her new sculptures: throw pillows (any color, any shape), deco rative blankets, stuffed ani mals (any size) and spare change (pennies are perfect). Donations can be dropped off at SECCA, 750 Marguerite Drive. All donations are 100 per cent tax deductible, and donors will receive a tax receipt. If more items are donated than are needed for Smith's artwork, all extra materials will be donated to Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina. SECCA requests donations to be dropped off no later than Nov. 13. For more information, call SECCA at 336-725-1904. Churches to educate about organ donation National Donor Sabbath will be observed from Nov. 12-14. During this time, faith communities throughout the country will recognize the need to unite and increase the awareness of the crucial need for organ and tissue trans plants to help save the lives of many. Religious leaders are invited to spread the message of how important it is for their congregation to make a deci sion to donate and ultimately offer the opportunity to share the greatest blessing of all - The Gift of Life. Carolina Donor Services is currently assembling free materials to' distribute to pas tors; churches and other faith communities for the obser vance of National Donor Sabbath. Hundreds of churches across the nation will distrib ute bulletin inserts and donor pins to their congregations Pastors will have sermon out lines for various denomina tions to answer questions about the gift of life made possible through organ, eye and tissue donations. Cox completes Air Force basic training Air Force Airman Isiah D. Cox graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The air man com pleted an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military dis cipline and studies. Air I Cox borce core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four cred its toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Hosea and Yvonne Cox of Winston Salem. Cox graduated in 2009 from Mount Tabor High School. f ? " '? ' ??? Grants available from state's MLK Commission Grants of up to $5,000 each are available from the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission to non-profit organizations wishing to cre ate or strengthen programs that support of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially those which bene fit youth. The MLK Commission is staffed by the Human Relations Commission of the N.C. Department of Administration. Grants will be awarded to entities located within seven regions to ensure statewide distribution of funds. Interested non-profits should use the application form on the Human Relations Commission web site (www.www.doa.nc.gov/hrc) to identify their organization and to define the specific program they wish to present that will foster and promote the legacy and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Examples include, but are not limited to: youth programs to enhance race relations; voter education and registration; reducing the high school drop-out rate; literacy pro grams (including essay con test); anti-gang activities; leadership training; and pro motion of cultural arts. Applicants are encour aged to use the checklist to ensure that applications are complete. Applications must be postmarked no later than Nov. 30. Awards will be announced by Dec. 17. If you have questions, call the Human Relations Commission at 919-807 4420. Virgil has new role at Symphony The Winston-Salem Symphony has appointed Sheila M. Virgil as its first vice president of patron and institutional advancement. In this role, Virgil will be responsible for cultivating relationships with patrons and key business/artistic partners. She will also supervise ticket sales, mar keting, public relations, and development staff, and work with Symphony President and CEO Merritt Vale on strategic planning, major gift cultivation, planned giving, endowment building, and organizational development. Virgil has worked in fundraising, executive man agement and consulting in the nonprofit sector for almost 20 years, including eight years with the Cleveland Orchestra. Since moving to Winston-Salem from Omaha in 2008. Virgil has managed projects for Wake Forest University and Salem College, where she is an adjunct faculty member in the Not-for-Profit Management Program. She has also served two years on the Symphony's develop ment committee. 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