92nd Street Y Launches New Event Series On Racism, Hate

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side's 92nd Street Y will host a number of events this month to discuss the past, present and future of racism and other hateful ideologies in the United States in the wake of the national protest movement following the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd.

The Jewish cultural institution's new initiative — called "92Y Confronts Hate" — launched Sunday with a round-table discussion on "The Politics of the Pandemic" that focused on the disproportionate effects of the coronavirus pandemic on communities of color. More events are planned for Monday June 8, Monday June 15 and Thursday June 18.

Topics that will be covered in future events — hosted remotely on the 92nd Street Y's website — include how to build bridges between religious, racial and ethnic communities, themes of racial justice in the works of playwright Anna Deavere Smith and a conversation between Rabbi Peter Rubinstein and Imam Al-Hajj Talib of Harlem.

"92Y Confronts Hate seeks to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to explore, understand and ultimately try to address some of the most difficult challenges facing society," Seth Pinsky, CEO of the 92nd Street Y, said in a statement. "In this moment of profound pain, 92Y is uniquely positioned to explore ways of building understanding and unity—through conversation, the performing arts, literature, education and more."

The new event series will supplement an increased slate of digital offerings at the 92nd Street Y. The Lexington Avenue cultural center was forced to cancel a number of events due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it's currently asking for donations due to financial losses. The 92nd Street Y's digital events are mostly free-of-charge.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of New York City every day since Thursday, May 28 to protest police brutality, systemic racism and white supremacy after Minneapolis man George Floyd died in police custody after an officer pinned his neck with his knee for more than eight minutes.