Rosey E. Pool during a Black Nativity tour in England (ca. 1965), with (a.o.) Marion Williams, Alex Bradford, Vinette Carrol and Madeleine Bell.
Black History Month — February is Black History Month. One aspect of this history is the longstanding and mutually supportive relationship between African Americans and Jews. Jeffrey Leak’s most recent research project deals specifically with this relationship. Jeffrey began this project by studying the life and career of the African American poet Robert Hayden. In the process of conducting his preliminary research, he discovered a fascinating connection between Hayden and Rosey E. Pool, a Jewish editor from England. This spring Jeffrey plans to go England to examine Pool’s papers. I asked Jeffrey about his research trip, and he sent me the following information:
I’ll be journeying to England to visit the archives at the University of Sussex, located in Brighton. I’ll be looking through the papers of Rosey E. Pool (1905-1971), who grew up in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam. While training to become an English teacher, she came across a poem by the Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen; as a result, she she developed a life-long passion for African American poetry and culture. Her family was interned at Westerbork Transit camp, but only she survived. During that time, they would sing what were referred to as Negro Spirituals. At war’s end she continued to celebrate and analyze African American poets, editing volumes of poetry in England. She lectured widely here in the U.S. at historically black colleges and universities in the 1950s and ’60s. She was a major voice for black literature in Europe, and her archive provides a social and cultural history of African American writers from the vantage point of Great Britain and Western Europe.
Jeffrey’s research relates to a larger story with intriguing ties to the Charlotte area. Last year the Levine Museum of the New South sponsored an exhibit titled “Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges.” As this exhibit made clear, many historically black colleges and universities, including Johnson C. Smith University, provided teaching opportunities for Jewish refugees from Europe during the World War Two era. African Americans and Jews also collaborated during the Civil Rights Movement. Charlotte’s own Harry Golden is an important example of a prominent Jew who played a key role in this movement. As we celebrate Black History Month, we should make note of this chapter in African American history and remember the strength that comes from forming alliances and coalitions.
Kudos— As you know, I like to use my Monday Missives to share news about recent accomplishments by members of our department. Here is the latest news:
Amanda Loeffert, a graduate student in our children’s literature concentration, recently had a paper accepted for presentation at the upcoming Children’s Literature Association Conference. Her paper is titled “Fighting in Flats: How Kamala Khan is Revolutionizing the Female Superhero.”
Katie Hogan recently had a chapter titled “The Academic Slow Lane: Creating Alternative Professional Identities” accepted for publication Staging Academic Women’s Lives (State University of New York Press).
Dina Massachi, a graduate student in our children’s literature concentration, recently had a paper accepted for presentation at the upcoming Children’s Literature Association Conference. Her paper is titled “Starving for Readers: The Epidemic of Glamorizing Eating Disorders in Young Adult Fiction.”
Upcoming Events and Deadlines— Here are some dates to keep in mind:
February 10 — The third presentation in this year’s Personally Speaking Series will take place on Tuesday, February 10, at 6:30 at UNC Charlotte Center City. John David Smith will speak about his recent book Lincoln and the U.S. Colored Troops. On March 24, Paula Connolly will give the fourth and final presentation in this year’s Personally Speaking Series. She will speak about her book Slavery in American Children’s Literature, 1790-2010.
February 16 — The Vagina Monologues (faculty and staff cast) – Monday, February 16 at 7pm in McKnight Hall (Cone Center). Angie, Janaka, and Tiffany will each be performing in this important event. This year’s production is being directed by Shannon Bauerle, a former English grad student, ELC Coordinator and part-time instructor. All proceeds will benefit Safe Alliance. Admission tickets are $10. For admission ticket and a t shirt $15. ONLY CASH will be taken at the door. To purchase tickets online:https://ecom.uncc.edu/C21561_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=104&SINGLESTORE=true
February 20 — “A Celebration of Jim McGavran” will take place on Friday, February 20, from 2:00-4:30 in the Rowe Recital Hall (Rowe 140). The official program will begin at 2:30 to be followed by a reception in the main lobby of Rowe.
Quirky Quiz Question — Charlotte’s Harry Golden used his own periodical to voice his support for the Civil Rights Movement. Does anybody know the name of this periodical?
Last week’s answer:
The Last Studebaker – Robin Hemley
Crossing Blood – Nanci Kincaid
Dog on the Cross – Aaron Gwyn
Six Figures – Fred Lebron
The Petals of Your Eyes – Aimee Parkison
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