BEN
VINSON PRESENTS BLACK SOLDIERS IN THE DIASPORA,
PART OF BARNARD'S FORUM ON MIGRATION
New
York, NY, November 7, 2001 -- Assistant Professor
of Latin American History Ben Vinson will speak
Thursday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. as part of
Barnard's Forum on Migration. Vinson's presentation
of Black Soldiers in the Diaspora: From Slavery
to Modern Times will take place in the Brooks
Living Room and will be followed by a book signing
and a reception.
Vinson
will present several topics from his new book,
Bearing Arms for his Majesty: The Free Colored
Militia in Colonial Mexico, released in
July 2001. The book examines the movement of
people of African descent to the unfamiliar
territory of Latin America, particularly Mexico.
Vinson will place the black diaspora in a historical
context as it pertains to military relations,
starting from the Colonial period. He will also
discuss the meaning of the migratory process
in the 20th century, focusing on the life of
Tuskegee Airman Virgil Richardson, who migrated
to Mexico and lived there for 50 years.
The
Barnard Forum on Migration sponsors special
events including lectures, readings, and films
exploring issues connected to the movement of
people from one part of the world to another.
Each year, the Forum hosts distinguished writers
and academics who address issues related to
migration and social order.
This Barnard Forum is supported by a bequest
establishing the Weiss International Fellowship
Fund to bring distinguished scholars in literature
and the arts to Barnard. The forum is organized
by Caryl Phillips, the Henry R. Luce Professor
of Migration and Social Order.
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Contact:
Petra Tuomi, Associate Director of Public Affairs,
(212) 854-7907
Laura Whitlock, Media Relations Intern, (212)
854-2037
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