The challenges faced by formerly incarcerated and system-impacted college students will be the focus of the next Conversations on Race and Policing when the series screens the documentary, “Breaking Barriers.”

The program, which starts at noon is free and open to the public, will be presented on the program’s Zoom page. It is being supported by CSUSB's Project Rebound.

“Breaking Barriers” examines the significant impacts faced by formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals pursuing higher education at the University of California, Berkeley. It also highlights the work of Berkeley Underground Scholars, and the importance of policy changes to dismantle barriers and provide support for the formerly incarcerated as they work toward their college degrees.

From the film’s website: “Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to education, including limited access to educational programs, lack of resources, and the stigma associated with a criminal record. These obstacles often prevent them from obtaining valuable skills or credentials, hindering their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and find stable employment upon release.”

Featured in the film, and the guest speaker on April 9, is Danny Murillo, co-founder of the Berkeley Underground Scholars, which creates a pathway for incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals into higher education.

The Conversations on Race and Policing program began after the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and its aftermath. Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, triggering extensive protests, demands for systemic reform in policing, and profound dialogues on race and racism. This also led to the inception of Cal State San Bernardino’s Conversations on Race and Policing, abbreviated as CoRP.

In subsequent court cases, three other former Minneapolis police officers implicated in Floyd’s death were given prison sentences.

The series has featured scholars, journalists, law enforcement officers, lawyers, activists, artists, educators, administrators and others from throughout the nation who shared their experience and expertise on issues related to race and policing.

More than 110 forums have taken place since, and video recordings of the sessions are posted online on the Conversations on Race and Policing Lecture Series Archive. 

Upcoming programs, which take place at noon on Wednesdays (unless otherwise noted) include:

  • April 16, Thaddeus Johnson, assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, presenting “Reducing Community Violence to Close the Racial Gap in U.S. Imprisonment."
  • April 23, Simon Balto, University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor of history, author of “Occupied Territory: Policing Black Chicago from Red Summer to Black Power.”
  • Conversations on Race and Policing, John M. Pfau Library, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, history, sociology, panel, Matt Patino, Jeremy Murray, Mary Texeira, Robie Madrigal, Michael German, Stan Futch, George Floyd, Mario Brooks, Connie Joscelyn Cornejo, Zoralynn Oglesby, Jade McDonald, Danny Murillo, Project Rebound, Berkeley Underground Scholars, Alison Phipps, Newcastle University, United Kingdom, professor of sociology, on “Sexual Violence as a Pretext for Disposal: Rape, Race and Carcerality.”

The series organizers currently include CSUSB faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, as well as collaborators from other institutions: Amber Broaden (CSUSB and CSU Dominguez Hills, psychology), Stan Futch (president, Westside Action Group), Michael German (Brennan Center for Justice), Robie Madrigal (Pfau Library), Jeremy Murray (CSUSB History), Matt Patino (Crafton Hills College adjunct faculty and CSUSB alumnus), and Mary Texeira (CSUSB sociology).

For more information, contact Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu or Murray at jmurray@csusb.edu.

Also visit the Conversations on Race and Policing webpage.