Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies and the chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University, will be the third and final guest speaker at the 24th annual University of Tennessee at Martin Civil Rights Conference.
Glaude (pronounced to rhyme with “cloud”) will speak at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the Watkins Auditorium in the Boling University Center.
Glaude has taught at Princeton since 2002. Born in Moss Point, Mississippi, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College in Atlanta, a master’s degree in African American studies from Temple University and a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton.
Henri Giles, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communication and the chairperson for the Civil Rights Conference, said Glaude is noted for his commentary on the national stage on politics and African American issues.
Giles noted that Glaude has been a columnist for Time magazine and has appeared regularly on MSNBC and political commentary programs like “Meet the Press.”
“His background in religion as well as politics is an interesting combination in terms of where we are now, with our politics in this country,” she said.
“His background is in African-American history, equity and social justice. With the conversations now that deal with politics and religion, it will be interesting to get his take on that.”
Giles said that Glaude would bring interesting points of conversation to the Watkins Auditorium stage on Tuesday.
“He is definitely a scholar,” she said. “He is definitely an intellect, so he will touch on a lot of these issues that we see in the news from those perspectives, from a scholarly research perspective as well as just being an African-American man in America – just with some of his life experiences.
“I think that people will see a perspective that, a lot of times, we don’t see in media. He has appeared on a number of televisions shows: the Sunday-morning political shows, the news networks. So, he is a familiar voice, and I think we are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and his intellect to be here with us to share and to break down some of those stories.”
The theme of this 24th annual UT Martin Civil Rights Conference is “Fact Over Fiction: The Truth is Marching On,” and Giles said this year’s guest speakers – including Olympic breakdancer Carmarry “Pep-C” Hall and noted journalist and commentator Roland S. Martin – were chosen to meet that theme.
“It’s important to bring those voices in who do speak the truth,” she said. “Dr. Glaude is one of those voices who can make sense out of a lot of the nonsense that we are exposed to every day.”
The UT Martin Civil Rights Conference continues through Feb. 29. Oher events included in the conference include:
• “Black Avenue: A Black Business Expo” from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 17, in the Duncan Ballroom of the Boling University Center.
• A “Night of Dance” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Watkins Ballroom.
• “Music by Black Composers” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, in the Blankenship Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Building.
• A community health fair and children’s literacy event from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, in the Martin Public Library at 410 S. Lindell St.
• “Black History Month Music Trivia” at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, in Room 206 of the Boling University Center.
• An academic conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, in Room 230 of the Boling University Center.
For more information on the UT Martin Civil Rights Conference, visit utm.edu/civilrightsconference.
Photo: Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies and the chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University, will be the third and final guest speaker at the 24th annual University of Tennessee at Martin Civil Rights Conference.
