From the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color to fatal encounters between police and African Americans, UMD sociology Professor Rashawn Ray acknowledges it would be easy to be pessimistic in the face of addressing such challenges.
Yet during his speech on Saturday for the inaugural Homecoming “Beyond the Field” address, he was hopeful, encouraged by the progress that can be made through academic inquiry.
“I believe in the power of critical thinking,’ Ray said. “I believe in the power of research to create meaningful change.”
The speech from Ray, who is also executive director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research, was delivered via Facebook Live during halftime of the Terps’ game against Indiana.