Purdue News

November 1, 2002 Gender issues and Cuba to be focus of lectures at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The African American Studies and Research Center at Purdue University is sponsoring three lectures which will focus on connections between Africans who have been immersed in other cultures throughout the world. Anthony Conley, a doctoral student in history and the grant coordinator at the Youth Opportunity Center in Muncie, Ind., will make a presentation entitled, "Race, Solidarity and a Field of Dreams: Historical Reflections on African Americans, Cubans and Baseball" at 9 a.m. Tuesday (11/5) in Stewart Center, Room 214. His presentation will be followed by a keynote address at 1:30 p.m. by author and scholar Lisa Brock. Her speech is entitled "From Jim Crow to Elian: African Americans and Cubans – Culture and Solidarity." Both presentations are free and open to the public. Brock, a professor of African history and Diaspora studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, has conducted extensive research on African Diaspora in Cuba and the United States. She is the author of "Between Race and Empire: African Americans and Cubans before the Cuban Revolution" and the forthcoming "Black in Two Americas: Comparative Identity, History and Struggle in Cuba and the United States." The center also will conclude its Ethics, Justice and Culture Forums with a lecture by Phoebe Farris, associate director of Women's Studies at Purdue, at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Beering Liberal Arts and Education Building, Room B268. The lecture, entitled "Gendered Worlds: Gains and Challenges: Reflections on the 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Women – Uganda 2002," is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Farris, who also is a professor of art and design, has exhibited in international venues, including the 1996 Women of Color video production of the Beijing China International Women's Conference. Her recent publications include, "Voices of Color: Art and Society in the Americas" and Women Artists of Color: a Bio-Critical Sourcebook to 20th Century Artists in the Americas." A member of the Powhatan-Renape Nation, Farris also is involved with Native American issues. CONTACT: Matilda Stokes, African American Studies and Research Center publicist, (765) 494-5680, mstokes@sla.purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page