Postponed: Author: Ralph Remington in Conversation with Paul Henderson 

Penetrating Whiteness: What Racism Really Is and What We Can Do About It 
Sunday, 6/8/2025
2:00 - 3:30
African American Center - 3rd Fl
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

This program has been postponed, date to be determined. Thank you for your interest in our programs.

With the re-emergence of white nationalist movements, and growing threats to democracy, Ralph Remington's Penetrating Whiteness: What Racism Really is and What We Can Do About It is a clarion call. This timely collection of essays offers insights into the realities of racism, sexism, and homophobia. The author will discuss his new book with Paul Henderson and boldly confront the uncomfortable truths about the persisting toxicity of white supremacy and systemic discrimination. 

Prior to joining the City and County of San Francisco as Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission, Ralph Remington served as the Deputy Director for Arts and Culture for the City of Tempe, Arizona. He also previously served as the former Western Regional Director and Assistant Executive Director for Actors Equity Association in Los Angeles. Prior to that, he was Director of Theater and Musical Theater at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington, D.C. In 2010, he received the NEA Chairman's Distinguished Service Award. Remington was a City Council member for the City of Minneapolis and is a former Guthrie Theater Acting Company member and is the founding Producing Artistic Director of award-winning Pillsbury House Theatre in South Minneapolis. A US Army veteran, Remington has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from Howard University. 

Paul Henderson Henderson has spent his entire professional career working in public service for the city of San Francisco and most recently was appointed Director of the Department of Police Accountability, where he and his legal team are tasked with investigating all complaints regarding police use of force and misconduct.  Prior to this appointment, Henderson spent 7 years as the Deputy Chief of Staff & Public Safety Director to the former Mayor of the City of San Francisco, Edwin M. Lee. From 1995-2010 He was Chief of Administration and prosecutor for then District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris. Henderson was recently awarded California’s Lawyer of the Year by the California Association of Black Lawyers.  A native of San Francisco, Paul earned a BA from UCLA and a JD from Tulane University where he also served as class president. 

Connect  

Ralph Remington – Website | Ralph Remington – Instagram  

Paul Henderson – Website | Paul Henderson – Instagram  

Author Readings & Lectures

Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

More Than a Month: Black Interest

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Black community.

More Than a Month recognizes important events in Black history, honors community and national leaders and fosters steps towards collective change. Programming features authors, poets and craft classes. 

BIPOC Interest

Attend programming, lectures and workshops intended for the BIPOC community.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

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This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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