Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MOREomaha.org) is sponsoring a free book reading discussion on A Question of Freedom: The Families Who Challenged Slavery from the Nation’s Founding to the Civil War, on January 20, 2022, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. via Zoom and Facebook live.

A Question of Freedom was written by William G. Thomas III, a professor in the History Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Thomas will provide a brief overview of his book and respond to comments and questions from participants.

A Question of Freedom offers a unique, historical narrative from the point of view of families who utilized the court system to actively resist their enslavement. It also provides a deep look at the role Jesuit slaveholders played during that period. Thomas also discusses the importance of repairing this history and how to frame the current discussion on that topic through direct and honest appraisal of this painful part of American history that continues to affect American society today.

A’Jamal Byndon, MORE’s board chair, will moderate this discussion. Byndon, who has taught in the Black Studies Department at the University of Nebraska Omaha, is a community advocate who challenges racism in our state.

We will explore three themes during this conversation, from the community perspective:

1. How to talk about American history and simultaneously address current conditions impacted by historical wrongs, without becoming defensive or reactionary.

2. How to be part of expanding civil conversations about racial matters.

3. How to discuss reconciliation and reparation work in Nebraska.

Participants should read the book beforehand and come prepared to share their questions and reactions. Books are available at The Book Worm in Omaha (402-392-2877) and Francie & Finch in Lincoln (402-781-0459), or online here.

https://www.amazon.com/Questio...

The audio book will be available from Tantor Media beginning December 14, 2021 at:

https://tantor.com/a-question-...

For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, 402-212-7083, moreinfo@moreomaha.org

This program is funded in part by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

About MORE:

MORE is an explicitly antiracist organization fighting for racial equity. We are committed to addressing the raw racism of public and private institutions in our city and communities.

MORE's strength is engaging in antiracist dialogues related to important topics of the day, and involving the community to help us address the needs as defined by the community.

We are building a cadre of grasstops leaders who can speak truth to power and demonstrate a commitment to antiracist policies and practices.

A Question of Freedom Book Discussion