U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II Discusses the African-American Experience and Civil Rights with Tirana University Students (February 28, 2008)

U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II led a discussion on African-American rights’ movement with history and journalism students at the Faculty of History and Philology. Ambassador Withers, a member of the African-American community himself, shared with students his personal experiences of the advancement of African – American community rights in the U.S. in the last 40 years, African – Americans’ contributions to the progress of American society in many fields, as well as illustrations of the unique African –American culture.

Ambassador Withers told students the equality and democracy people anywhere in the world should aspire to, regardless of their origins, was determined by two elements: self-determination and self-expression. The Ambassador responded to a number of questions that included today’s status of African – Americans in the U.S. and the implications for this community with an African – American candidate in the U.S. Presidential Primaries.

Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology Shezai Rrokaj and Deputy Dean Valentina Duka thanked the Ambassador for his presentation. Ambassador Wither’s guest lecture was held in the framework of the Black History Month in the U.S.