New Topic Discussions Scheduled At SoNo Library Sept. 16 & 30

Press release from Norwalk Public Library:

Sept. 10, 2020

Let’s Talk at SoNo (Branch Library) with Joy DeJaeger

Norwalk resident Joy DeJaeger shares the colorful life of her grandmother, Terue Takatsugi, during the Let’s Talk at SoNo (Branch Library) series, 7 p.m. to 8: 30 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2020 via Zoom. As a 19-year-old Japanese picture bride, Terue Takatsugi endured a tumultuous boat ride to the United States in 1918. Joy will discuss her grandmother’s background and life in the America.

“This is the heartfelt story of a woman who didn’t let sexism interfere with her strength, or hinder her from self-made success,” says Sherelle Harris, Norwalk Public Library’s Assistant Director. “Her granddaughter, our very own Norwalk resident, Joy DeJaeger, is a great storyteller!”

This program is free and open to the public. Registration and Zoom information are available online or by calling 203.899.2790 ext. 15902. This information is also on the SoNo Branch Library’s website and in the current bi-monthly newsletter that is sent via email every second and fourth Thursday of the month.

For more information, please contact Sherelle Harris.

Norwalk community to discuss James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” via Zoom

Join the community discussion of “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin, hosted by Norwalk Public Library, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., via Zoom on Sunday, September 30, 2020.

“Due to the turbulent times of 2020, it will be great for Norwalk to be in the forefront of an honest dialogue about both the forward and limited ways we think about race,” said Sherelle Harris, Norwalk Public Library’s Assistant Director. “One of my absolute favorite movies, ‘The Godfather,’ has an offensive comment about my culture. I could have been and was initially offended, but I stopped to trace the reason behind the comment from another viewpoint. Coupled with the comment made about Italians in the movie—and thinking of another favorite, ‘West Side Story’—I just decided that we all have issues. Looking at the whole and not the sum, the movie never stopped being among my favorites, not for the gangster aspects, but for the sheer psychology of it all.

Moderating the discussion are fourth term Hartford/Windsor State Representative Brandon McGee, who is also Chair of Connecticut's Black and Puerto Rican Caucus; Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools; Rev. Elizabeth C. Abel, Pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church, a United Methodist Church in Norwalk; Jalin Sead, a life-long Norwalk resident, married father of one and dedicated community activist; Elijah Manning, a Norwalk husband and father of two who is determined to bring change to school curricula; and Farrah Marin, a Norwalk native with a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University who is dedicated toward anti-racist community healing and education.

One Book One Community is a national program designed to bring communities together to discuss literature and issues that affect us all. “The Fire Next Time” was first published in 1963 as the civil rights movement gained momentum. Baldwin’s book features essays, “My Dungeon Shook: Letter to my Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation” and “Down at the Cross: Letter from a Religion of My Mind”.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration and Zoom information are available online or by calling 203.899.2790 ext. 15902. . This information is also on the SoNo Branch Library’s website and in the current bi-monthly newsletter that is sent via email every second and fourth Thursday of the month.

For more information, please contact Sherelle Harris.

This press release was produced by Norwalk Public Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.