Riverside, Calif., May, 2000--What is the role of women in postmodern America? How deeply is mainstream America still encumbered by racial prejudice? In what direction is social activism going following the WTO trade talks in Seattle and Washington?

These pressing societal questions and many others will be debated at an academic symposium to be held Friday, June 2, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on the campus of La Sierra University in western Riverside.

The symposium, titled "These Inalienable Rights," will feature a series of scholars and social activists who will speak on topics covering human rights, religion, education, the family and social justice. The majority of lectures will be held in the La Sierra Alumni Center, 11500 Pierce St., a keynote address will take place in the campus Dining Commons in conjunction with dinner.

The keynote speaker is Susan Estrich, a nationally known commentator on law and politics and a professor of law at the University of Southern California Law Center. Estrich will be speaking at 5:30 p.m. and the title of her address is "Feminism and Social Justice."

The political activist and nationally prominent columnist served as national campaign director for Michael Dukakis' presidential bid in 1988. Estrich's political experience also includes work as a senior political advisor to the Mondale-Ferraro ticket in 1984. She is the author of several books, including her 1998 work "Getting Away With Murder: How Politics Is Destroying the Criminal Justice System."

Other symposium speakers are June O'Connor, a professor of religion from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), who will speak on human rights in a religious context. Her 9:30 a.m. address is titled "Religions and Human Rights: Current Debates." At 1:30 p.m., Scott Coltrane, chair of the UCR sociology department, will speak on "Social Justice and the Family." An address on multiculturalism and race relations by Pamela Johnson, the Child's Rights Project director for Amnesty International, will follow at 3 p.m. Keynote speaker Estrich will speak at 5:30 p.m. Each lecture will be followed by discussions facilitated by a La Sierra professor.

In conjunction with the symposium, an art exhibit featuring work by Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein will be held. Paintings by the La Sierra assistant professor of art contend with gender roles, migration, children and racial violence. The exhibit, titled "Black and White," will be held in the university Student Center, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

"The Inalienable Rights" is the brainchild of Sasha Ross, a senior political science and French major from Silver Spring, Md. Ross became interested in human rights through her contact with Amnesty International, the international human rights advocacy organization. In 1998, she founded an Amnesty chapter at the university and has spearheaded several projects to bring issues of violence and political prisoners to the forefront of campus concerns.

"Race and gender relations, feminism, multiculturalism - these are the issues that too often get ignored and brushed under the table," Ross said. "But these are the issues that shape our society." She said the symposium seeks not only to increase discussion on issues, but also to educate attendees on their opportunities to enact social change.

The symposium is hosted by the LSU student groups of Amnesty International, Students For Social Justice, and Students Advocating Gender Equality.

The $15 ($20 at the door) registration fee includes all four lectures, a buffet lunch, admission to the concurrent art exhibit, dinner and book-signing event by Susan Estrich. The symposium is free for students with college IDs. For more information or for reservations call (909)785-2999.

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Story written by Bonnie Carter, La Sierra Public Relations.
"The Inalienable Rights," Friday, June 2 - La Sierra University Alumni Center, 11500 Pierce St.

Schedule
* 8:30 a.m. Registration, Alumni Center
* 9:30 a.m. June O'Connor, "Religions and Human Rights: Current Debates"
* 12 p.m. Lunch, Alumni Center
* 1:30 p.m. Scott Coltrane, "Social Justice and the Family"
* 3 p.m. Pamela Johnson, multiculturalism and race relations
* 4 to 6:30 p.m. "Black and White," an art exhibit by Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein
* 5:30 p.m. Dinner, Dining Commons
* 5:30 p.m. Susan Estrich, keynote address, "Feminism and Social Justice"
* 6:30 p.m. Book signing with Susan Estrich, Student Center