The Project
Race and the American Story is a national educational movement dedicated to cultivating conversation, fostering understanding, broadening knowledge, and building community among people with very diverse personal stories.
Focusing on the case study of African-American history as an especially revealing one, Race and the American Story aims to learn from and engage deeply in the historic and ongoing struggle for racial justice by Black Americans. Our multifaceted project includes a signature undergraduate course, an annual symposium, and related initiatives both on college and university campuses and in communities.
RAS is in partnership with The Center for Political Thought and Leadership (CPTL) at Arizona State University along with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Missouri.
Learn more about CPTL and RAS here.
Check out the ASU RAS course here.
The Symposium
Our annual symposium provides an opportunity for us to come together as a community and learn from each other as well as distinguished leaders of national conversations about race and difference in American society. The two-day symposium is typically held at a site of significance in the history of Black Americans’ struggle for justice.
Our Fourth Annual Race and the American Story Symposium will take a hard look at issues of race in the US today and is planned to be held onsite in Spring 2022. More details to follow soon!
For our students
Log in to the Race and the American Story student portal to see the syllabus, recommended reading, weekly tasks and the class discussion board.
Participate in the discussion.
We invite our students and the wider community to engage in this important ongoing discussion about race in the United States.
- Submit a blog post for consideration
- Share your own story about your personal epiphanies with regard to race and identity
- Join the Book Club discussion
- Respond to discussion posts when they are posted
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Join the Race & American Story Book Club
Each semester, as a collective community, we will be reading and discussing a book that focuses on the broad topic of “race and the American story.”
Learn more and join below.
Our Participating Locations
Race and the American Story was founded at the University of Missouri. We now have a presence on eight university campuses and continue to grow every year.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
RHODES COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
SORBONNE UNIVERSITY
LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Get Involved
Race and the American Story is actively looking to grow our partnerships with other institutions of higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project all about?
It is about understanding the American story in such a way that all Americans of every race, color, and creed can call it their own.
When is the annual symposium?
The annual symposium is held every spring at a site of significance for the Civil Rights Movement and the history of racial justice in America.
How can I get involved?
You can offer the course at your institution, participate in our annual symposium, join our book club, or make a donation to support the project.
Can I participate in the course?
The best way to participate in the course as a student is to work through the faculty members at your institution to offer the course on your campus.
