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Lecture describes research on lynchings

April 6, 2005

KALAMAZOO--A longtime Africana studies researcher is the featured speaker for the spring gathering and annual meeting of the Friends of the Western Michigan University Libraries at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Meader Rare Book Room on the third floor of WMU's Waldo Library.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a talk by Dr. Deborah Barnes, director of the university's Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations and an associate professor of Africana studies. An informal reception will immediately follow her talk.

Titled "Written in Blood: Collecting the Stories of Lynching," the presentation draws on Barnes' extensive research into the history of lynching in the United States, especially narratives about lynching. Barnes came to WMU from Gettysburg College and is now in her second year as the Walker Institute's director. One of her main literary critical interests is the writings of novelist and critic Toni Morrison. For more information, call (269) 387-5202 or (269) 349-8166.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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