Welcome!
On behalf of my colleagues in the Department of African American Studies, I would like to thank everyone who attended the conversation with Julian Bond last month! We had an overflow crowd that was reflective of our diverse campus and community, and everyone was engaged with the conversation. I offer a special "thank you" to the DAAS Intellectual Activities Committee, The HistoryMakers, Inc., and to all those who made the event possible.
I encourage you to attend another exciting and informative event, "From Looney Coons to Tacos & Tequila: The Aesthetics of Race in Middle Class America", presented by James Anderson, Gutgsell Professor of Educational Policy Studies. Professor Anderson will speak on Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Knight Auditorium of the Spurlock Museum. The museum is located at 600 South Gregory Street in Urbana. In his talk, Professor Anderson will explore "the ways in which evolving forms of race and ethnic performance entered into and shaped the culture of middle class America from the late nineteenth century to the present." Come and learn how "playful" racialized antics can entertain one group in society while simultaneously reinforcing negative stereotypes, emphasizing race superiority, and demeaning ethnic identities of other groups. It's sure to be enlightening!
I hope you all enjoyed Spring Break and returned to campus refreshed! There remains a great deal to be accomplished in the remaining weeks of the semester. I hope you'll come back to our web page often to see what DAAS is planning as we close out the academic year!
Jennifer Hamer
Interim Head--Department of African American Studies