VIDEO Conservatism and Race: A Positive Path Forward

On April 23, the great Robert Woodson delivered the inaugural lecture in Hillsdale’s Christ Chapel Drummond Lecture Series. His topic was “Conservatism and Race: A Positive Path Forward.”

Robert L. Woodson is the founding president of the Woodson Center, an organization dedicated to improving low-income neighborhoods, promoting civics education, improving race relations, and developing community leaders

A veteran of the civil rights movement, Woodson embraces what he calls “radical pragmatism” as the best way to improve the lives of “the least of God’s children.” His work at the Woodson Center seeks to ennoble and inspire the downtrodden rather than condescend to and coddle them. As my colleague David Whalen noted, “for decades, while public figures pose and wrangle about the poor and racial injustice, Robert Woodson has transformed the lives of many thousands. He does so because he understands responsibility, authentic human dignity, and the freedom through which people actually flourish. Where others just talk, Woodson has achieved near miracles.”

In recognition of his long and good service for America, Woodson was awarded Hillsdale’s Freedom Leadership Award.