Dr. Terrence Roberts's Perspective on Social Justice and Tolerance in America

Thursday, February 11, 2010

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On February 11, 2010, the Temple of Understanding will host an evening with Terrence Roberts, one of the "Little Rock Nine," the group of African-American students that desegregated Little Rock High School.  Dr. Roberts will discuss his experiences and observations of America's moral and social evolution since the years of turbulence that swept the country in the late 1950's.  

Held in celebration of Black History Month, the event will be take place at the Con Edison building (4 Irving Place) near Union Square from (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.) and will feature a guest moderator who will interview Dr. Roberts and take questions from the audience.   A book signing with Dr. Roberts will immediately follow. Among the invited guests expected to attend will be Congressman Charles Wrangle, noted Civil Rights Activist Hazel Dukes, and socialite Sherry B. Bronfman.

The books to be featured include Lessons from Little Rock, Dr. Roberts's recently published memoirs, which offer a thoughtfully nuanced look at this important chapter in the annals of American Civil Rights History. From the publisher: "Told with stark honesty and exhilarating detail, Roberts's intimate memoir reminds us that the Little Rock desegregation crisis happened to real people.'

Dr. Roberts will also discuss his recently published book of essays, Simple, Not Easy: Reflections on Community, Social Responsibility, and Tolerance.  Essay topics include: education, leadership, racial integration in schools and neighborhoods and building community. Reviews include Alan Caruba, National Book Critics Circle Member "…well worth reading."

The Temple of Understanding is a leader in educating youth and adults cross culturally and inter-religiously in order to alleviate intolerance, social injustice and violence between culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse populations.  Founded in 1960 by Juliet Hollister, with the support of Eleanor Roosevelt and an international group of leaders from business, politics, religion and academia, the ToU is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations.  

The Executive Director of the ToU is Alison Van Dyk.  Managing Director and Executive Vice President is Stuart Gelles.

Pre-order tickets required. Contact ToU for more information: 212-573-9224, ext. 22.

SOURCE The Temple of Understanding