I'm with the Banned: Revisiting the OG's of Race and Justice Literature

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel delves into the enduring power of classic works that tackle the intertwined themes of race and justice. From The Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson, to W.E.B. DuBois's Philadelphia Negro, to A Taste of Power by Elaine Brown, and James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time - to name a few - these seminal texts continue to resonate, sparking vital conversations about systemic inequality, resilience, and the enduring quest for justice. Panelists will discuss how these books have shaped public discourse, their relevance in contemporary debates about race and social justice, and the evolving ways readers interpret these narratives in light of current events. The session will also consider the challenges and opportunities of teaching these classics as they are removed and banned from libraries and curriculums nationwide. By revisiting these literary touchstones, the panel seeks to inspire a deeper understanding of how history continues to repeat itself and how we continue to survive.

Sub Unit

• Area XII. Diversity and Inclusion

Individual Presentations

• The Philadelphia Negro by W.E.B. Du Bois - Jason M. Williams, Montclair State University

• The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson - Miltonette Olivia Craig, Sam Houston State University

• A Taste of Power by Elaine Brown - Toniqua C. Mikell, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin - Allison Cotton, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Chair

• Toniqua C. Mikell, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Organized by a Division or external group?

Division on People of Color and Crime; Race & Justice Journal