Author panel explores racism in Chicago and the Midwest April 20
Three authors with a deep understanding of racial inequality in Midwestern cities will discuss how contemporary writing depicts these issues during a panel discussion on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire.
Despite a long history of literature depicting racism in the United States, authors continue to shine light on the still-current issues of race and segregation. The authors participating in the library discussion address these issues in a variety of genres (fiction, nonfiction and short stories) and settings (St. Louis, Milwaukee and Chicago). The discussion will be moderated by longtime book club facilitator Judy Levin.
"There is a strong appetite from today's readers to educate themselves on issues regarding race inequality," Levin said. The library's April 13 book discussion, led by Levin, will feature yet another take on the theme: "Negroland" by Pulitzer Prize - winning cultural critic Margo Jefferson.
The novel "The Middle Step" by Denise P. Bogard, tells the story of a middle-aged white suburban woman who becomes a foster mother to four at-risk teenage girls who have been pulled from their homes. She quickly discovers how little she knows about urban poverty and living with children of a different race, religion, culture and background. Set in North St. Louis, the novel explores the intersection of race, poverty and family.
Bogard draws on her personal passion and experiences of the past 15 years as a writing and English teacher in a Title One charter middle and high school in downtown St. Louis, Lift For Life Academy.
WBEZ-FM's reporter Natalie Moore explores Chicago in "The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation." In this narrative, Chicago native Natalie Moore explores contemporary segregation on the South Side of Chicago through reported essays, showing the life of these communities through the stories of people who live in them. "The South Side" shows the important impact of Chicago's historic segregation and the ongoing policies that keep it that way.
Moore is Chicago Public Radio's South Side Reporter. Prior to joining the WBEZ staff in May 2007, Natalie was a city hall reporter for The Detroit News. She has also been an education reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and a reporter for The Associated Press in Jerusalem. Moore's work has been published in Essence magazine, Black Enterprise magazine, the Chicago Reporter, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune.
Author Jennifer Morales' book of short stories, "Meet Me Halfway: Milwaukee Stories," is set in one of the nation's most highly segregated cities: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In nine stories told from different perspectives, "Meet Me Halfway" illuminates the connections in a community with a tumultuous and divided past. Morales gives life to multifaceted characters: black and Puerto Rican teens, white schoolteachers and senior citizens, Latino landlords, political activists and Vietnam vets.
As an activist mother in the thick of Milwaukee politics, Morales developed a keen ear and a tender heart for the kids who have inherited the city's troubled racial legacy. She lived for more than 20 years in Milwaukee, where she raised children and served on the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, being the first Latino elected to it.
The books will be available for purchase and signing at the author visit, courtesy of the Book Bin in Northbrook.
This event is free to attend and open to all. Registration is required. Register at vapld.info, by at (224) 543-1485, or in person at the library.