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IU Northwest to host Black History Month event Feb. 2

Author, Freedom Rider to share memoirs of Freedom Rides of 1961

In recognition of Black History Month, the Indiana University Northwest Office of Diversity Programming invites the campus and community for a free presentation related to The Freedom Rides of 1961 at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2 in the Library Conference Center, room 105.

Eric Etheridge is the author, journalist and photographer behind the recently published “Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders,” a then-and-now memoir of the 328 individuals, black and white, who took part in the Freedom Rides of 1961 and were arrested in Jackson, Miss. for trying to desegregate transportation terminals in the city.

Accompanying Etheridge will be one of the Freedom Riders, Hezekiah Watkins. Only 13 years old at the time, Watkins is the youngest Freedom Rider to be arrested.

The pair will lead an enlightening discussion and multimedia presentation featuring their personal experiences, photos, book excerpts and more from The Civil Rights Movement. A book signing will immediately follow.

For more information, contact Phyllis Barlow, IU Northwest Office of Diversity Programming, at (219) 980-6596.