Special SESSION: Black Lives Matter: The Role of Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity in Supporting Racial Justice Efforts

In conjunction with the annual meeting theme of “Emancipatory Sociology: Rising to the Du Boisian Challenge,” the AMSS section hosts an invited session that considers the role of altruism, morality, and social solidarity in racial and social justice efforts. As the nation grapples with global pandemics, new solidarities have been mobilized for collective actions, such as Black Lives Matter. The themes of altruism, morality, and social solidarity are evident in the protests surrounding the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson and thousands of other black men, women, and children who have been killed in fatal encounters with U.S. police. This invited session considers the role of nonprofit organizations, voluntary associations, and social movements in these efforts. For example, Fatal Encounters is a volunteer-maintained database that records a searchable record of fatal police interactions, and the Center for Justice is one among many non-profit organizations that work with community and public interest groups to protect the legal and social justice rights for vulnerable people, communities, and families.


Presider: Ashley Harrell, Duke University
Panelists: Una Okonkwo Osili, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy D. Brian Burghart, Fatal Encounters Jennifer Wood, Center for Justice Tina Sacks, Center for Research on Social Change Candice C. Robinson, University of Pittsburgh