The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander was the focus of a community-wide conversation on February 2, 2015, the first event in the seminary's observance of Black History Month.
The event started at 6:00PM in Howell Dining Hall with a lecture from Mr. Asante Todd, instructor in Christian ethics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, titled, "The Cruel Hand, the Birdcage, and the Fire this Time: A Theological Reflection on The New Jim Crow." Asante, himself African-American, introduced the book and its topic and participated in a brief question and answer period. Following Asante's presentation, the attendees moved to table groups, which included a mix of Austin residents and seminary faculty, staff, and students. More than 50 people gathered around tables to share stories, insights, and questions that came from reading the book and listening to Asante's lecture.
The evening concluded with the table groups sharing insights from the conversations that they had during the disucssion.
Black History Month events will conclude with a service of Holy Eucharist featuring the Huston-Tillotson Gospel Choir and preacher, the Rev.Kim Baker, MDiv '02, on February 26, at 5:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel on the seminary campus.
Details on all Black History Month events on campus.
