 
Scholars Discussed Impact of Jesuit Mission on African-American Community in St. Louis |
The University's Black Faculty and Professional Staff Association sponsored the event.
"These Jesuits were some of bravest men in the community," said Dr. Donald Matthews, conference chair and assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice. "They tried to fight the evils of racism. They helped to integrate the Church and the University. That spirit can be rekindled as part of attendees' devotion as Catholics and Christians."
Highlights of the conference included presentations by John Kavanaugh, SJ, professor of philosophy; William Faherty, SJ, professor emeritus of history; and Joseph Brown, SJ, director of black studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Brown, an East St. Louis, Ill., native, is widely known as one of the leading African-American Jesuit scholars.
Matthews said that by reviewing the story of the courageous Jesuits who broke barriers to serve the African-American community, everyone can learn to overcome prejudice today.
"Racism still is probably the number one social problem in St. Louis," Matthews said. "A number of programs have been developed without a sense of history. There is a history of blacks and whites working together, and that can be seen in the story of these Jesuits."
Funding for the conference was provided by the Marchetti Jesuit Endowment Fund
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