A facilitated conversation about the George Zimmerman verdict will explore the implications for race relations in the U.S.

The underlying assumption of White superiority continues to be a decisive factor in American institutions as we have seen in the workings of the judicial system and the outcome of this trial. Racism has changed the way it looks externally so that Americans can feel that we are treating everyone "equally" but we have not recognized the underlying assumptions which structure our institutions so that "equality" results in unfairness. This conversation will provide an environment in which to explore the configurations of structural racism to better illuminate where action needs to be taken.

Kathryn Liss is the former volunteer coordinator for the YWCA Asheville Stand Against Racism, a former director of training for The Mediation Center of Asheville and a former board member of Building Bridges of Asheville.

George Friday is a national field organizer for the Bill of Rights Defense Committee who grew up in rural NC in the 1960s. She holds degrees in political science, economics, and African American studies from UNC-CH.