This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Sweatt vs. Painter decision, which paved the way for African Americans' admission to formerly segregated colleges and universities. In addition to Gregory's talk, several other activities are planned for the symposium, including a retrospective discussion on the decision, a poetry slam and a law fair.
All events are free and open to the public.
The winners of UT's Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, a state-wide contest for high school students, will be announced before Gregory's talk. Credited with opening many doors for black entertainers, Gregory found comedy an expedient avenue for getting people's attention. His participation in the civil rights movement of the 1960s also is well documented, as are his efforts for world peace. He is the author of Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat and an autobiography, Nigger. In the landmark case, Sweatt vs. Painter, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that separate law school facilities could not provide an education equal in quality to that available at the UT law school.