Book discussion at WMU precedes visit by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Retired professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will visit the campus of Western Michigan University in March, the day after a communitywide discussion session on his book, "Writings on the Wall."

Reading Together event

WMU Libraries is co-sponsoring the Reading Together discussion from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 13, in the Heritage Hall Ballroom on WMU's East Campus. It will focus on Chapter 1 of Abdul-Jabbar's book, which is a collection of essays on the country's seemingly irreconcilable partisan divide—both racial and political—as well as on parenthood and his own experiences as an athlete, African-American and a Muslim. Facilitated by Kalamazoo City Commissioner Erin Knott and Dr. Paul Clements, WMU professor of political science, the event is a collaboration of University Libraries, First-Year Experience, Western Student Association and the Kalamazoo Public Library. It is free and open to the public with no advanced registration required.

Abdul-Jabbar's visit

Abdul-Jabbar, who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, will speak the following evening, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, in Miller Auditorium. He is known for offering keen assessments of and solutions to problems such as racism in sports, while speaking candidly about his experiences on and off the court.

Registration

Those interested in attending the free event with Abdul-Jabbar should register at kpl.gov/reading-together/2017.

Multiple copies of the book are on seven-day reserve at the Waldo Library circulation desk. Other chapter events are being held throughout the community.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/library.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.