Baker to speak on Martin Luther King Jr.

The noted literary critic and activist-scholar Houston A. Baker Jr., Susan Fox and George D. Beischer Professor of English at Duke University, will speak about “Remembering Race: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Betrayal of Black Intellectuals” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Tripp Commons, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.

Baker’s talk will examine King’s legacy as envisioned by black centrist and neo-conservative intellectuals. He suggests that the work of these intellectuals serves not only to subvert the best aims of King’s life and labors, but also runs contrary to the best interests of the black majority.

Considered one of America’s most important literary scholars, Baker has written extensively – sometimes controversially – on black literature and poetry, the Harlem Renaissance, blues music, social progress and black culture generally. His provocative ideas have helped to shape the field of African-American studies. He has authored or edited more than 20 books, including, most recently, Turning South Again: Re-Thinking Modernism / Re-Reading Booker T., and Critical Memory: Public Spheres, African American Writing and Black Fathers and Sons in America.

Baker has previously served as president of the Modern Language Association and currently edits American Literature, the oldest journal of American literary studies. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, including Guggenheim, John Hay Whitney and Rockefeller fellowships. Also a published poet, Baker’s latest volume of verse is Passing Over.

This is the second of seven lectures in the Humanities Without Boundaries lecture series sponsored by the UW–Madison Center for the Humanities. All events are free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary.

For more information call 608-263-3409.