Author, students talk about abolitionism on AASU, SSU campuses

AASU and Savannah State University (SSU) are teaming up to host a student symposium and lecture centered on the U.S. abolitionist movement and its influences on literature.

Between these presentations students – and anyone else who’s interested – will be given the opportunity to attend a lecture by author Dr. Maurice Jackson, a professor at Georgetown University. His lecture will take place at noon on Friday, Feb. 26 in University Hall Room 158.

Jackson wrote “Let This Voice Be Heard, Anthony Benezet Father of Atlantic Abolitionism” and was a contributing editor for the book “African Americans and The Haitian Revolution: Selected Essays and Historical Documents,” both which were published within the last year.

“I want students to come to lecture with an open mind and imagine the world of those who fought against slavery. ... And the courage it took to do what they did,” Jackson said.

Jackson teaches an array of subjects at Georgetown, including courses on the Atlantic, African-Americans, Washington, D.C., social movements and jazz history. He is also involved with the university’s department of the performing arts and music.

While some student panelists have already written essays in relation to the abolitionist movement, others will be writing and submitting essays specifically for the symposium.

Any student is invited to submit essays and serve on the panels. The presentations are open to a wide range of topics that relate to the abolitionist movement including abolitionism and religion, anti-slavery societies, the influence of the Haitian revolution on Northern abolitionism, the racial divide in abolitionism and many more.

Dr. Kalenda Eaton, the professor at AASU in charge of arranging the event, said that the presentations will be a mixture of faculty and students.

“After each presentation audience members will be encouraged to ask the panel questions,” Eaton said.

Freshman Maxx Kosinski, a mechanical engineering major who normally wouldn’t attend lectures on literature is considering going to the student symposium.

“At a smaller university we don’t usually get to hear from speakers like Dr. Jackson,” he said. “Since students are also presenting, I think it could be really interesting.”

Student and faculty panels will give presentations on Friday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in University Hall Room 124. Dr. Jackson’s lecture will be followed by a book signing from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Jackson will also speak in the social science building at SSU on Saturday, Feb. 27.