“The Freedom to Read: The History and Threat of Book Banning” is the topic for the upcoming Courageous Conversation co-sponsored by the Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism, the Kenosha Public Library and Carthage College.
The in-person panel discussion will be held Wednesday, May 10th starting at 6 p.m. at the Campbell Student Union of Carthage College, 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha. Free visitor parking is available in the South Upper parking lot and South Lower parking lot.
Dr. Julius Crump, assistant professor of religion, and director of Equity and Inclusion for Faculty and Academic Integration at Carthage College, will facilitate the panel discussion. Panelists will include:
• Barbara Brattin, director of the city of Kenosha Library and the Kenosha County Library System, and the Chairperson of the Wisconsin Library Services
• Dr. Jacqueline Witter-Easley, professor of education at Carthage College and co-director of Teaching Commons
• Gregory Bennett Jr., executive director of Peace in Our Streets – Kenosha Inc., and
• Carthage College students: Brisedya Bautista Gonzalez, Myles Chubin, Kyah Jernigan and Sydney Anderson
The panel will discuss the historical context and recent attempts to ban and challenge books in schools and public libraries, and what impact such efforts have on restricting information, freedom of thought and cultural, racial and religious diversity.
There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience and the evening will conclude with an action plan for attendees.
For more information about this Courageous Conversation, visit the Kenosha CFDR FB page: Facebook.com/KenoshaCFDR.