• Nov 2, 2016 from 15:00 to 16:00
  • Location: Spanish River Library
  • Latest Activity: Sep 23, 2020

The Boca Raton Public Library is pleased to present a lecture with Visiting Scholar Albert Dorsey Jr., Ph.D., of Florida Atlantic University. His presentation is part of the national lecture series and community-building initiative, “The Birth of a Nation: Slavery, Resistance & Abolition.” The series is presented in conjunction with the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services at the American Library Association (ALA), The United Nations’ Remember Slavery Programme, Fox Searchlight Pictures and BazanED.

 

Inspired by actor and director Nate Parker’s acclaimed film The Birth of a Nation, the national lecture series commemorates the history-changing slave rebellion launched by the film’s subject, Nat Turner, and marks the 185th anniversary of Turner’s rebellion, as well as The United Nations’ International Day for the Remembrance of The Slave Trade and its Abolition, observed annually on August 23.

 

“This speaker series is a great way to engage local communities in an honest discussion about slavery and its legacy in America,” shared Nate Parker, the film’s writer, director and star. “The hope is that this honest confrontation with our past will galvanize our society toward understanding, healing and systemic change.”

“We are honored that libraries will be the primary venues for these vitally important conversations across the country, and thankful that Boca Raton Public Library came on board to bring this series to its local community,” said Jody Gray, director of the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services at the American Library Association. “Libraries are not just about housing books; they have always been about learning, exchanging ideas, and transforming lives—characteristics that this series perfectly reflects.”

 

Dr. Dorsey earned his Doctoral and Master’s degrees in U.S. history at Florida State University, where he was the recipient of the prestigious McKnight Doctoral Fellowship. He received his Bachelor’s degree in history at San Diego State University. His research interests include contextualizing the long human and civil rights struggle of African-Americans within the broader framework of Southern and U.S. history. Oyuki De Santiago Poletz, Program Services Librarian, notes, “Dr. Dorsey is a noted historian, writer and educator whose extensive knowledge of this important topic will make this a fascinating and informative event.”

 

Register for this free presentation, funded by the Friends of BRPL, through the calendar at bocalibrary.org.

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