North Carolina Central University News April 3, 2017 Skin Color and Politics Focus of Dan Blue Symposium North Carolina Central University<http://www.nccu.edu/> (NCCU)'s 2017 Dan T. Blue Symposium in Political Science will take place April 10-13 with a focus on "The Politics of Skin Color." The conference is hosted by Yaba Blay, Ph.D., holder of the Dan T. Blue Endowed Chair at NCCU. Blay is a nationally recognized researcher and ethnographer who uses personal and social narratives to explore issues of race, class and culture. All events during the symposium are free and open to the public. "Light skin versus dark skin: Which is more socially advantageous? Regarded as more beautiful? Considered more Black? Treated more favorably by the law?" Blay asks. "These are not as much questions of personal opinion as they are issues of power and politics." The symposium keynote event brings Blay on stage with CNN contributor and activist Michaela Angela Davis and Patrice Grell Yursik, whose online persona Afrobella is considered the godmother of brown beauty blogging, for a public conversation about colorism beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the A.E. Student Union. Blay defines colorism as a discriminatory system of value based on skin tone that encourages people of color to opt for separation in place of unity. Photography from her 2013 book "(1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race<http://1nedrop.com/>," will be on display April 10-13 in a pop-up exhibit at the NCCU Museum of Art, with an opening reception Tuesday, April 11, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Blay will present a lecture on her work immediately following the reception in the Hubbard-Totten Building Auditorium. Other events include: Monday, April 10 "Dark Girls<http://officialdarkgirlsmovie.com/>" Film Screening and Panel Discussion 4 p.m., Mary Townes Science Complex, Room 2221 "Dark Girls" is a documentary film that explores attitudes towards skin color and the impact of colorism on women with darker skin tones. The screening will conclude with a student and faculty panel discussion and audience conversation. Light refreshments will be served. Tuesday, April 11 "Who's Black? Who's Not? Who Cares?" Lecture by Yaba Blay, Ph.D., Dan T. Blue Endowed Chair in Political Science 11:35 a.m., Hubbard-Totten Building Auditorium 5:30 p.m., Hubbard-Totten Building Auditorium In the United States, historically, a Black person has been defined as any person with any known black African ancestry - as little as one drop. Mixing history and personal memoir, this visual presentation highlights the contemporary experiences of men and women who have for whom the one-drop rule has had a personal impact. Wednesday, April 12 "Light Girls" Film Screening and Panel Discussion 4 p.m., Mary Townes Science Complex, Room 2221 "Light Girls" is a documentary film that explores attitudes towards skin color and the impact that colorism has on women with lighter skin. The film explores skin color, preference, privilege, and pain and will conclude with a panel discussion and audience conversation. Light refreshments will be served. Thursday, April 13 "Complexions and Perceptions: Skin Tone and Perceptions of Attractiveness at NCCU" Student Presentation 6 p.m., A.E. Student Union As an introduction to the keynote conversation, Political Science majors will present findings from the fall 2016 Black Body Politics class research project. "Complexions and Perceptions" involved a survey on skin tone and perceptions of attractiveness among NCCU students. "Color Without Complex" Keynote Conversation with Michaela Angela Davis<http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/10/opinions/michaela-angela-davis-oddity-to-whites-opinion/>, Patrice Grell Yursik<https://youtu.be/ftRRbGSr86E> and Dr. Yaba Blay 6 p.m., A.E. Student Union The symposium honors N.C. Senator Daniel Terry Blue Jr., who represents the state's 14th Senate district and is an alumnus of NCCU. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/