Noted Ethnographer to Speak at Drew University in Madison

What defines someone’s race? Is it the color of their skin, the texture of their hair? Is it the identity of their parents?
Dr. Yaba Blay, an assistant professor at Drexel University and noted ethnographer, broaches these and other provocative questions in her public speaking engagements around the United States.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, she is coming to Drew University to speak about race and black identity in her talk called “Shifting the Lens on Race.” The talk is at 4 p.m. in Crawford Hall in the Ehinger Center and is free and open to the public. There is no need to preregister.

She will also be signing copies of her book and visiting two classes. Dr. Blay’s visit is sponsored by the humanities program, which is underwritten by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

She was invited to speak by Professors Erik Anderson and Lillie Edwards, both from the College of Liberal Arts. Anderson and Edwards are co-teaching a humanities seminar this semester that examines the question of black identity and the shifting definition of race and racial identity in the United States.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Blay to the Drew campus,” said Anderson. “Her insight and experience will spark a constructive dialogue and help our students reach a deeper level of compassion and understanding involving issues of race and cultural identity.”

Information and photo courtesy of Elizabeth Moore, Drew University