Local libraries have, for a long time, been places of reading, learning and fostering community, but throughout the beginning of the year, Kent District Library is taking things a step further. In partnership with the Michigan Humanities Council, KDL will be featuring seminars and discussions that are free and open to the public during the Great Michigan Read, which this year is Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights and Murder in the Jazz Age by Detroit native Kevin Boyle.
The book itself is about a now-famous civil rights case involving a black slave's grandson who became a doctor. The man, named Ossain Sweet, galvanized by his success, moved to a predominately white neighborhood in Detroit in 1925. When a white mob threatened his home one night and stray shots killed one of the white protesters, Sweet was accused of murder. Along with acclaimed defense attorney Clarence Darrow, Sweet put Detroit on the map of the Civil Rights movement and started the ball rolling for racial equality in America -- but not without significant personal cost.
| Great Michigan Read Book Discussions Jan. 17, 1:30 p.m. - Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m. - Plainfield Township Branch Jan. 23, 1 p.m. - Gaines Township Branch FREE kdl.org, (616) 784-2007 |
"It's a fascinating book; it's nonfiction, but it reads like fiction," said Cheryl Garrison, the library's assistant director. "[The Great Michigan Read has] been going on for several years, and it's our third time partnering with them. We're doing several things to participate this year, like hosting book discussions at different locations."
In addition to providing local readers with copies of the book and book discussion guides for reading groups, school groups and families alike, Garrison is quick to point out the numerous other events at KDL in connection to the Great Michigan Read through the month of March. In partnership with Davenport University, the Kentwood branch of the library will host "Us vs. Them: A Critique of Divisiveness in Popular Culture," a lecture by Dr. David Pilgrim of Ferris State University, on Feb. 21, and an Arc of Justice panel presentation with local experts and Davenport students on March 19.
By participating in these events, Garrison hopes readers all over the state will be encouraged to think about the events in the book and their impact at the time, as well as the book's implications today.
"These events are all about community and the chance to get together and talk about important issues in our lives, especially something as important and pertinent as racism," Garrison said.
Other Literary Events
Ivan Jenson
Schuler Books & Music, 28th street location
Jan. 26, 7 p.m.
FREE
schulerbooks.com, (616) 942-2561
Schuler Books & Music will host author Ivan Jenson for a reading and signing of his newest tour de force, Dead Artist. The book follows former pop art superstar Milo Sonas as he navigates obscurity, his dying mother's funeral planning, his own wedding, and frequent visits from famous dead artists. Through the novel, Milo must come to terms with his fears that the art world would appreciate him more if he were dead.
History Detectives
Grand Rapids Public Library Main Branch
Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
FREE
grpl.org, (616) 988-5400
With topics like "Rescued from the Attic: A 1918 Grand Rapids Treasure Trove" and "The Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Grand Rapids?" Grand Rapids Public Library's History Detectives event will prove to be an informative day covering multiple aspects of Grand Rapids' long and colorful history. This daylong seminar will cover topics from Civil War scouts to cartoonists and everything in between.
Friends of Poetry
Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library
Jan. 31, 7-8:30 p.m.
FREE
kpl.gov, (269) 342-9837
Kalamazoo's Friends of Poetry invite you to come make friends with some local poets. Nancy Eimers, Judith Rypma and Janet Heller, all professors of English at Western Michigan University, will come to Kalamazoo Public Library for a public poetry reading sponsored by Friends of Poetry. Eimers, Rypma and Heller will read from their poetry collections Oz, Rapunzel's Hair and Traffic Stop, respectively, and the library will serve free refreshments at the event.
