Uneasy Solidarity
This political cartoon by Ralph Chaplin, titled "The Hand That Will Rule the World," appeared in the June 30, 1917, issue of "Solidarity," a newspaper published by the Industrial Workers of the World.
Lecturer examines American solidarity, from Bacon’s rebellion to Black Lives Matter
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
In times of crisis, we tend to stand together, and proudly so. But are these instances as common as we think they are, and could our desire to live in unity cloud our understanding of how divided we are? David Roediger, a University of Kansas professor of history and American studies, will tackle this and other questions during Dickinson's American Studies 2016 Bud Shaw Lecture, “Making ‘Solidarity’ Uneasy: From Bacon’s Rebellion to Black Lives Matter,” Tuesday, March 1, at 5 p.m. in Althouse 106.
An expert on race, labor and class in America, Roediger is the author of several books, including, most recently, Seizing Freedom: Slave Emancipation and Liberty for All, How Race Survived U.S. History and (with Elizabeth Esch) The Production of Difference. Before his current post, he taught at the universities of Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota; he also worked as an editor of the Frederick Douglass papers at Yale University.
The Shaw lecture series brings experts to campus to discuss their research on pressing issues in American culture, history and society. Past topics include America's response to AIDS, race and space in post-World War II cities and suburbs, perceptions of race during President Obama’s first term in office, the “new urbanism,” and gay, lesbian and transgender activism in contemporary America.
The series was established in memory of American studies major Donald “Bud” Shaw ’80, an advocate of social-justice and AIDS education, and it is funded by his estate.
"American studies is a field that coheres around ideas of social-justice history and representation," said Associate Professor of American Studies Cotten Seiler, adding that these were the issues Shaw engaged with at Dickinson and beyond. "And we can think of no better scholar to bring in to honor Bud's memory than David Roediger, because he is an expert in his field, and his work consistently pushes us to think about whiteness and marginalization in our society."
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Published February 26, 2016