Penguin Talks Series   

The cry of Black blood runs through America: a force born of oppression, resilience, and the unyielding demand for justice. In America's Moral Reckoning: Race, Trauma, Justice, and Ethical Responsibility, Rev. Michael Jones Jr. confronts the systemic inequities, generational trauma, and ethical failings that shape who belongs, who suffers, and who carries the weight of history. The weight of this history is carried in bodies, communities, and daily life, yet so too is the power of survival and liberation. These reckoning challenges each of us, our choices, our silence, and our responsibility, to confront the truth of America's promises and failures. From housing and voting to immigration and civic life, this is a raw, unflinching conversation about liberation, accountability, and moral responsibility. It is a call to witness, reckon, and act for a more just and equitable America.

 As America turns 250 this year, let's ponder what the concept of freedom meant to the 'Founders' of our democratic republic. It would be a mistake to say that they saw freedom in the same way it has come down to the 21st century; this is why you could hold people in bondage and yet proclaim liberty for all. Liberty was the word of the day in 1776, it remains the hallmark of our national belief system along with religious freedom. When our ancestors fought for liberty, did they also fight for equality and freedom?

Too often, LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning) identities are framed primarily through struggle. This interactive talk flips the script, centering joy and strength within LGBTQ+ lives and our shared history. In preparation for Pride Month in June, we will celebrate what makes the LGBTQ+ community powerful and resilient.