IN PERSON: What made them do it? We will ask this of three towering characters from the classical civil rights era: Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Maya Angelou. Malcolm describes his hardscrabble life, starting in extreme Midwestern poverty, moving through New York City's crime scene and prison, and then becoming the most articulate spokesman for a (rhetorically, at least) more violent, separatist response to white oppression. King’s autobiography describes his route from the elite preacher class of Black Atlanta to becoming the most widely accepted spokesman, organizer and advocate for Black Americans. We will read the middle of Angelou’s seven (!) exquisite memoirs, covering the time in her life when she interacted with King, Malcolm and other greats. These memoirs are a delight to read, reflecting the talents of three extraordinarily gifted communicators at a remarkable moment. This is a discussion-based class, focusing on excerpts of about 100 pages for each class. | Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 20.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
Micah Harris is studying for a Ph.D. in political theory and world politics at The Catholic University of America. He holds an M.A. in liberal arts from St. John’s College. This course grew out of his experience as a literary novelist ("Only Small Things Are Good," Pagescape Press, 2018) and his time working on a cooperative U.S. government maritime security project in Vietnam (2014-2015).