Frank B. Wilderson ? ?Social Justice and Civil Rights?

Professor, filmmaker, activist and author Frank B. Wilderson, III, Ph.D., will be speaking at CWU to share his views and experience with social justice in his talk titled ?Social Justice and Civil Rights.? Wilderson grew up during a time when activism, such as the Black Panther Party movement and student uprisings, was widespread. In addition to events happening in America, Wilderson?s perspective on race relations was heavily influenced by his time spent in South Africa. One of two elected American officials with the African National Congress (ANC), Wilderson joined in the fight to end apartheid. He writes of his time?including how Nelson Mandela once called him ?a threat to national security??in his award-winning memoir ?Incognegro.? Wilderson has a background in creative writing and presently teaches drama and African American studies at the University of California, Irvine. His unique firsthand experiences with civil rights and social justice are part of what make Wilderson a fascinating voice on these topics. Wilderson?s appearance is part of the CWU Social Justice and Human Rights Series. This year?s inaugural theme is Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice: Black and Brown Lives Do Matter.