April 3, 2014
Lecture on African-American girls in films on Monday, April 7
On Monday, April 7, Michelle Martin, the Augusta Baker chair in childhood literacy at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, will speak on representations of African-American girls in contemporary film.
Her lecture, "Hushpuppy, Hauntings and Hurricanes: African-American Girls Braving Storms, Inside and Out," will be from 4:15-5:15 p.m. in the Hale Library Hemisphere Room. It is free and open to the public.
Martin is the author of the book "Brown Gold: Milestones of African-American Children's Picture Books, 1845-2002." She presents and publishes on a range of influential authors of children's and young adult literature, including Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Mildred Taylor and Jacqueline Woodson.
Martin's talk on Monday centers on the award-winning 2012 film "Beasts of the Southern Wild."
"Michelle Martin's groundbreaking scholarship is essential reading for students and teachers of children's literature," says Philip Nel, professor of English and director of the children's literature program. "Her 'Brown Gold' is the definitive history of African-American children's picture books. Further, she's an engaging public speaker."
Martin's visit to Kansas State is sponsored by the English department and its children's literature program, with additional support from College of Arts and Sciences' student fees.