After an extremely successful year, the 2011-12 Great Michigan Read program is nearing its end. Three hundred schools, libraries, churches, book clubs and more teamed up to reach thousands of Michiganians in the reading and discussion of this year’s book, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age. Written by Detroit-native and Ohio State University History Professor Kevin Boyle, Arc of Justice, tells the story of African American physician Ossian Sweet and the chain of events that occurred after his family moved into an all-white Detroit neighborhood in 1925.
The Traverse Area District Library (TADL) in collaboration with the Dennos Museum Center, and Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA) were among the participating organizations. In addition, the three organications were also selected to serve as a community host for the Great Michigan Read traveling exhibit, We Don’t Want Them, during the month of March. While hosting the exhibit, each origanization offered supporting programs ranging from concerts and presentations to a community book discussion and a film screening designed to stimulate discussion concerning the themes of discrimination as well as tolerance and acceptance which are represented in both the exhibit and book selection.
Sharing resources to bring the exhibit to the community seemed like a natural fit and the collaborative efforts paid off in a big way! To wrap up this year’s Great Michigan Read, the Michigan Humanities Council will host a grand finale event on Monday, June 25 in Traverse City. This finale will be held at the Dennos Museum Center and feature Arc of Justice author Kevin Boyle. This will be an amazing event, providing an opportunity to reflect on the conversations and discussions generated by the Great Michigan Read throughout Michigan. Click here for tickets or more information.
The Great Michigan Read is a free, statewide humanities initiative inviting Michigan residents to read and participate in book discussions and events in their hometowns. The Great Michigan Read is presented by the Michigan Humanities Council with support from Meijer and the National Endowment for the Humanities.