The Rapides Parish Library is excited to announce that it will virtually host the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities program, “Who Gets to Vote? Conversations on Voting Rights in America,” from March 16th through April 13th.
The reading and discussion series encourages conversation about the history of voting and voter suppression in the United States and is part of the nationwide initiative, “Why It Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation,” administered by the Federation of State Humanities Council
Participants will meet with discussion facilitator , Dr. Chris Stacey, of Louisiana State University of Alexandria via Zoom each Tuesday to discuss one of four books recommended by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for the series. Title selections include:
· The Embattled Vote in America: From the Founding to the Present by Allan J. Lichtman
· The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898 by Lisa Tetrault
· Bending Toward Justice: The Voting Rights Act and the Transformation of American Democracy by G. May
· One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy by Carol Anderson
Discussion will focus on issues and themes supported by the text selections including the expansion of voting rights since the country’s founding; the electoral process; the women’s suffrage movement; historic and contemporary voter suppression practices; the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 2013 Supreme Court decision that invalidated key portions of the act; the disenfranchisement of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Americans; and more.
If you’re ready to read, discuss and engage on the history of voting rights, contact Rapides Parish Library Outreach Director Tammy Dibartolo at 318-442-2483 x 1906 to register for the program and schedule pick-up of the accompanying books and discussion guides. Supplies and room for participants are limited so call today to reserve your spot!
Check out our events by visiting us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RapidesLibrary. Visit our Website: https://www.rpl.org/
