Judge Roger Gregory spoke about issues in a multicultural society Monday night in the University Student Commons. This year marked the first annual multicultural conference held by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Gregory discussed the history of the United States and the struggles of those who wanted to see a culturally diverse society. He said the road to civil rights for all was paved by the lives and sacrifices of many. Gregory mentioned former Alabama governor George Wallace’s unsuccessful attempt in 1963 to prevent integration at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
People shouldn’t tolerate injustice of any form, Gregory said.
“No problem can be solved at the same level of consciousness that created it,” he said. “You must transcend.”
A graduate of Virginia State University, Gregory grew up in Petersburg, Va., and later opened the law firm Wilder & Gregory with Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder.
Gregory is currently a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, and is the first African-American to attain that commission. Gregory is also the only person in the nation’s history to be appointed to the Court of Appeals by two presidents of different political parties.
Senior Sheena Davis, 22, said she attended the lecture because she is familiar with OMSA’s programs.
“OMSA usually has really good programs,” Davis said. “I am interested in seeing what the judge has to say about affirmative action in the future.”
Senior Amber James, a criminal justice major, said she expected to be inspired by the lecture.
“I hope to be enlightened on different issues, and not think of it as a race or gender thing but as more than that,” James said.