Race and Racism Take Center Stage at Somerville Library

SOMERVILLE, MA—The Somerville Public Library will try to facilitate the unpacking of controversial ideological boxes.

Somerville announced the dawn of its newly-created book discussion series focused on Race and Racism on Wednesday, according to a city release. The series will consist of three book discussions and a panel presentation on three popular books covering Race and Racism.

Each of the books have received national accolades, and a different book will be discussed each month. The culmination of the series will consist of a panel of experts.

According to the release, the books in discussion are:

· January 21: Between the World and Me by Te-Nahisi Coates (National Book Award winner for Nonfiction, 2015)

· February 18: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

· March 17: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (winner of multiple awards, including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Nonfiction, 2011)

Heading the panel will be:

· Joyce Angela Jellison, J.D., Urban College of Boston

· Guerlince (“Lince”) Semerzier, Executive Director, Haitian Coalition of Somerville

· Sassiane Estany, Program Coordinator, Center for Teen Empowerment Somerville

· Victor Nascimento, Massachusetts Municipal Association

The discussions will take place on the third Sunday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.

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