University of New England

Yale scholar Jim Sleeper to speak on race and democracy Feb. 14th

Political journalist, book author and Yale University scholar Jim Sleeper will analyze well-intentioned efforts to calm racial tensions in two lectures scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at the University of New England.

Sleeper will address “Less Race, More Democracy: the New American Challenge” at noon in the St. Francis Room, Ketchum Library, on the University Campus in Biddeford. He will speak again on the same topic that night at 7 p.m. in Ludcke Auditorium on the Westbrook College Campus in Portland.

His lectures are part of UNE’s Core Connections Lecture Series.

Author of The Closest of Strangers, an account of racial politics in New York City and, more recently, Liberal Racism, Sleeper is also known for reportage and commentary that have appeared in Harper’s, The New Republic, The New Yorker, and many other publications. He has appeared on major news shows on National Public Broadcasting, both television and radio.

 A 1969 graduate of Yale University, Sleeper is now a political science instructor at his alma mater. He also earned a doctorate from Harvard University in 1977. He has taught urban studies and writing at Harvard, Queens College and New York University.

 For information on other upcoming Core Connections speakers at UNE, visit our web site at /ur/news/corespring06.asp.

(Press release issued Feb. 2, 2006)