A free public forum, “Healing Racism – Race and Politics,” will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Phoenix College’s Dome Auditorium, 3110 N. 10th Ave., (northeast corner of 11th Avenue and Flower Street).

Professors Thomas J. Davis and Brooks D. Simpson of Arizona State University’s Department of History will examine the history and life of race in the American political landscape and how some Americans seem reluctant to engage in frank and sustained dialogue about these critical topics. They will present examples of how the tendency to exploit racial fears has been a fundamental organizing principle of American politics and how this thinking has influenced the upcoming presidential election.

Matthew C. Whitaker, associate professor of History, African-American Studies, and Justice and Social Inquiry at Arizona State University, and Rory Gilbert, manager of diversity initiatives at Maricopa Community College District, will facilitate the program.

The event, part of an ongoing series of community conversations that explores various aspects of race and racism, is hosted by the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, Arizona State University, Maricopa County Community College District, Phoenix College, Maricopa County Diversity Office, city of Tempe and the city of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department.

The forum is open to the public. For more information or to request disability accommodation, call 602-261-8242/voice or 602-534-1557/TTY.