USA 2023-2024 Common Read Book Announced

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2023年8月29日发布

快乐华盛顿

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“From 1801 to 1866, an estimated 3,873,600 Africans were exchanged for gold, guns 和 other European 和 American merch和ise. Of that number, approximately 444,700 were deported from the Bight of Benin, Africa. During the period from 1851 to 1860, approximately 22,500 Africans were exported. And of that number, 110 were taken aboard 魁地亚的克洛蒂尔达.”

“Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo’” by Zora Neale 赫斯特, novelist, folklorist 和人类学家.

The book selected for the 2023-2024 Common Read/Common World program at the University of 南 Alabama is “Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo.’” Barracoon, authored by Zora Neale 赫斯特, was published eight decades after it was 写. It offers a first-h和 account of the journey of the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States.

Barracoon, originally completed in 1931, was finally published by Amistad an imprint 哈珀柯林斯2018年的总裁. This book is based on 赫斯特’s 1927 interviews with West African-born Cudjo Lewis, whose original name is Oluale Kossola. 当时，他是 believed to be the last survivor of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. 在Barracoon, Lewis story is shared in his own words 和 voice. Lewis resided in the Africatown community 阿拉巴马州莫比尔市.直到1935年去世. 

The work by 赫斯特 is now a New York Times Bestseller. 它讲述了本质 account of one man’s total life of being born free, enslaved, 和 free again. 

“By selecting Zora Neale 赫斯特’s powerful work ‘Barracoon’ as the Common Read at USA, the University is connecting our students to the history 和 culture of this area, opening up conversations about slavery 和 freedom, 和 inviting students to consider the ways that folklore 和 the stories from our community help make us who 确实如此。. Ellen Harrington, chair of the 英语系 和 co-chair of the Common Read Committee at 南 Alabama. “学生将获得 valuable skills around reading 和 interpretation as they become informed listeners 和 are able to conduct their own interviews as part of this project.”

赫斯特, also the author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” is a novelist, folklorist, 和人类学家. She traveled to Africatown to interview Lewis several times. 赫斯特 gets a first-h和 account of the Middle Passage journey that brought an estimated 110 enslaved people to Mobile Bay on a schooner named the Clotilda. 刘易斯和 other Africans were enslaved 50 years after the slave trade was outlawed.

“Each year, we select a book for the Common Read/Common World program, said Dr. 罗伯特。 Coleman, assistant dean of the College of Arts 和 Sciences 和 co-chair of the Common World program. We are pleased to have selected Zora Neale 赫斯顿的书《十大玩彩信誉平台》.”  

The participants reading the book will see how as an author, 赫斯特 was the listener, companion 和 scribe, building a relationship to tell Lewis’s story in his own words.

“赫斯特 works to build a special rapport with Lewis. She travels many times to visit 和 interview him, sometimes receiving the information she needed 和 other times, specific information that Lewis needed to share with 赫斯特, “said Coleman, “Many times 赫斯特 brought Georgia peaches 和 Virginia hams to help ease Cudjo into telling 他的故事. Readers 和 participants will find the details of t他的故事 fascinating 和强大的.”

“Barracoon” fits the parameters established for USA’s Common Read program to include 以下几点:

 

• Potential to engage students 和 spark discussion
• Appeal to a wide range of students
• Possibilities for classroom use including the first-year experience classes
• Inclusion of cross-cultural education, awareness, knowledge 和 sensitivity
• 与学生生活相关
   

The Common Read Committee reviewed numerous books before selecting “Barracoon.“学生们 in the First-Year-Experience class will be assigned to read the book as part of their 第一年的研究. The entire 南 Alabama campus of students, faculty, faculty, staff 和 the greater community are invited to participate in the Common Read experience 并参加 即将来临的事件 都在计划中. All events will be free 和 open to the public.

“I am super excited about this book 和 the amazing story 赫斯特 was able to share with us,” said Desmond Dunklin, interim associate director of University Programs 和 Campus Activities for 南 Alabama 和 Common Read co–chair. “我们正在建设 community through literature, 和 programming as we are hosting several events highlighting this year’s amazing book, “Barracoon.” It’s my hope to also foster community by incorporating different  programs that highlight this amazing story 和 help students make connections  by reading this book 和 engaging in interactive programs 和 events this fall 和 春季学期.”

One of the events for the fall semester is the screening of the film, “Descendant,” co-写 和 co-produced by 南 Alabama 和 English Associate Professor 和 Director of 非裔美国人研究 Dr. Kern杰克逊.  The film showcases the story told in “Barracoon.杰克逊也是 a member of the Common Read Committee.

“This film is resonating with many communities, especially young people. 他们是 joining several efforts to support Africatown,” Jackson said. “我很感激 film will now be included in the Common Read event lineup for this year to accompany this great piece of literature 写 by Zora Neale 赫斯特. 我们将继续 use this film as a tool to amplify the story 和 issues affecting the Africatown community.” 

《十大信誉彩票平台》赢得了美国电影奖.S.  Documentary Special Jury Award: Creative Vision at the 2022年圣丹斯电影节. Netflix purchased its worldwide rights; Higher  Ground, the 44th 总统 Barack Obama, 和 Michelle Obama’s production company, is presenting 与Netflix合作的电影.

Common Read/Common World is a University-wide program 和 partnership between 学术事务 和 学生事务. 

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