Cal Poly to Host ‘Race Citizenship in the Constitution’ Lecture Nov. 19

USC law Professor Ariela Gross will present “Race Citizenship in the Constitution” from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Advanced Technology Lab (No. 7) at Cal Poly in observance of Constitution Day.

Gross will discuss key aspects of her book, “What Blood Won’t Tell: A History of Race on Trial in America,” which unearths the legal history of race by recounting
stories of racial identity trials in American courts, from the early republic into the 20th century. The racial identity trials — court cases that determined a person’s race as well as their rights and privileges — help explain the history of race and racism
in America. Gross will sign books after her talk.

Constitution Day is celebrated Sept. 17, but because of Cal Poly’s academic calendar, the university is recognizing it in November.

The public is invited to the free event, which is sponsored by Cal Poly’s Office of University Diversity and Inclusivity, and the College of Liberal Arts.