The OCBA Racial Justice Task Force and OCBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee, in cooperation with several other groups, are co-sponsoring a webinar on Women in Blue, a conversation about gender, race, and violence in American policing, on Tuesday, March 23rd, 5:30-6:30 pm featuring filmmaker, Professor Deirdre Fishel (CUNY), Professor Michelle Goodwin (UCI Law) and Katherine Spillar, editor of Ms. Magazine. Professor Fishel's documentary, WOMEN IN BLUE, looks at policing from the point of view of women police officers. The conversation will address topics, such as: What do women, especially Black women, bring to public safety? What are the barriers to recruitment/retention? What are remedies for change?

The film, available free on PBS until March 10th, is based on the Minneapolis Police Department and chronicles a department and the community as they grapple with racism, police misconduct, and the limitations of police reform through incremental change. It also shows how women, especially Black women, can help stem police violence and contribute to greater public safety. Register here - You'll get a Zoom link for the Tuesday, March 23rd, 5:30- 6:30pm (PST) conversation, as well as a link to screen the 88-minute doc, a week ahead of the discussion. Panelists will show some clips the day of the panel for those who don't have time to screen the film.