As part of the Holocaust Center’s participation of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Holocaust Center presented a panel discussion on marginalized communities. Marginalization, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is to put or keep someone in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group.

The Civil Rights Act was a long step forward toward equality of rights under the law. Unfortunately, there still are barriers and closed doors that prevent some members of this community from achieving true justice. A panel representing diverse members of the community shared their experiences of marginalization and less-than-full participation in the community.

The panel included, (l-r), Michael Slaymaker, vice president of Development, Easter Seals Winter Park; Sister Ann Kendrick, Community Relations, Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka; Eli Garcia, program assistant, Hope CommUnity Center; Darryl E. Owens, editor, Orlando Sentinel, and Reverend Bryan Fulwider, president and CEO of Building US.