Princeton Professor, Columnist to Replace Dyson as Black History Month Speaker
Melissa Harris-Perry, associate professor of politics and African American studies at Princeton University, will deliver the keynote speech "Race, Democracy and American Politics in the Age of Obama" for Old Dominion University's Black History Month. Her talk, which will be in the North Cafeteria of Webb Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, is free and open to the public.
(Due to a scheduling conflict, Michael Eric Dyson, ODU's original keynote speaker for that date, will not appear).
ODU will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a variety of events centered on the theme "African Americans and the Civil War: Legacy of Vision, Promise and Hope."
In her academic research, Harris-Perry investigates the challenges facing contemporary black Americans. Her published works focus on African American political thought, black religious ideas and practice, and social and clinical psychology.
Interested in the practical political and racial issues of our time, she teaches a course on Disaster, Race and American Politics, which explores the multiple political meanings of Hurricane Katrina.
A frequent contributor to MSNBC, Harris-Perry regularly provides commentary on U.S. elections, racial issues, religious questions and gender concerns. She writes a monthly column for The Nation magazine, "Sister Citizen," and is a regular contributor at TheNation.com.
Harris-Perry received a bachelor's degree in English from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in political science from Duke University. She and her husband, James Perry, have one daughter and live in New Orleans.
The Black History Month schedule of events is as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. - Cape Charles/Isle of Wight Room
"Black History Trivia" - A competition involving knowledge of African American history. Sponsor: Black Student Alliance.
Friday, Feb. 11, 1-5 p.m. - Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center
"Lay Your Burden Down" - A stress-free and wellness zone featuring healing touch and yoga. Sponsor: Student Counseling Services and the Office of Intercultural Relations.
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Kaufman Mall
"American Red Cross Blood Drive" - Help give the gift of life. Sponsor: ODU NAACP.
Thursday, Feb. 17, 12:30-2:30 p.m. - Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, Lecture Hall 244
"The Black Atlantic" - Delores Phillips, ODU assistant professor of postcolonial literature and theory, will discuss the cultural and socioeconomic implications of foods from the African Diaspora, including collards and okra. 368-4100. Sponsor: Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University.
6:30 p.m., Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center
"Health Matters: Living Today for a Prosperous Tomorrow" - A health forum featuring Carl A. Gibson, MD, FACP, Riverside, Endocrinology and Diabetes Center; and Ethlyn Gibson, RN, MSN, director, Emergency Services & Critical Care, Sentara CarePlex Hospital. Sponsor: Student Health Services and Student Health Advisory Committee.
Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. - North Cafeteria Webb Center
Keynote lecture by Michael Eric Dyson - Professor, author and cultural critic, Dyson will present "From the Civil War Era to Obama: Racism, Democracy and the Future of America."
Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. - Virginia Rice Webb Room, Webb Center
"Legacy of Hope Prayer Breakfast" - Tickets for this event are $5 and can be purchased by e-mailing jaye.davaughn@yahoo.com. Sponsor: Sword of the Spirit.
7-11 p.m. "Ya Gamila! Drum Circle" - Virginia Beach Room, Webb Center Promote unity on campus through the spiritual nature of drum circles. Guests may join the percussionists' ring and play hand instruments, join the dancers inside the circle or simply observe. Sponsor: Ya Gamila!
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. - Chesapeake/Portsmouth/Virginia Beach Room, Webb Center
"The Written Word" - Join ODU for an open-mic and spoken-word showcase. Sponsor: Black Student Alliance.
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m. - Intercultural Center, 2114 Webb Center
"Voyages: The Transatlantic Slave Trade Database" - This presentation by Jelmer Vos, assistant professor of history at ODU, will explore the database containing more than 35,000 documented voyages. Sponsor: Office of Intercultural Relations, Department of History and ODU Amnesty International.
Thursday, Feb. 24, noon to 10 p.m. - Webb Center and Batten Arts and Letters Building
"Identity & Ideology: An Exploration of the Effects of Colonialism on the Caribbean" - This panel discussion and cultural presentation will explore themes of colonialism and identity. Sponsor: Institute for Race & Ethnicity and the African Caribbean Association.
Friday, Feb. 25 - Time and location TBD
Third Annual Black Male Summit - This year's theme will focus on "Reaching the Summit: Reclaiming Brotherhood." To register, http://bit.ly/ODUsummit.
Saturday, Feb. 26
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Batten Arts and Letters Building, rooms 1003, 1004 and 1005
"Ebony Impact 13th Annual East Coast Gospel Fest: Authenticating Our Worship" - festival workshops will be held throughout the day.
7-10 p.m. - North Cafeteria, Webb Center
Ebony Impact Concert - Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for general admission and can be purchased at the Campus Information Center desk in Webb Center or at the door. Sponsor: Ebony Impact Gospel Choir.
Monday, Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m. - Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries
"Harlem Renaissance" - Celebrate the Harlem Renaissance through this art exhibit featuring a variety of work from the turn of the 20th century to today. Sponsor: ODU NAACP.
For more information about these events, call the ODU Office of Intercultural Relations at 683-4406.