A&S in the News: June 13-19, 2021

“Walking on Cowrie Shells”

Nana Nkweti on the impact of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the complexities of multicultural identity: Literary Hub – June 15

Nana Nkweti’s first story collection, Walking on Cowrie Shells, proceeds with boundless energy, mixing and matching genres, jumping free of genre rules and bumping against unexpected turns of phrase, with a satiric aftertaste keeping it real. Her launch this month puts her into a historic moment; she’s of a cohort of authors whose first books were in the works when Covid hit. … Before the world tilted on its axis in 2020, she explains, “I was smack dab in the middle of editing Walking on Cowrie Shells, on the academic job market traveling hither and yon for campus visits, then later that year moving to a new state, new workplace, [and] new home (The University of Alabama). To say things have been in flux is an understatement.

Faculty and Staff Accolades

Faculty and staff accolades: Tuscaloosa Patch – June 15

Dr. Wendy Castenell, assistant professor, department of art and art history, was re-elected for a second three-year term to the board of directors of the Nineteenth-Century Studies Association…

Juneteenth

Juneteenth may soon become a federal holiday: WVUA – June 16

… University of Alabama Department of History Chair and Professor Dr. Joshua Rothman said he believes the recognition of Juneteenth is growing because of the latest national events focused on racial injustice. “Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas for a long time. It’s really a Texas holiday,” Rothman said. “The emancipation is starting to grow and receive national recognition as a result of the racial injustices and Black Lives Matter movement.”
Alabama Public Radio – June 18
Crimson White – June 18
WVUA – June 18

African American Literature

We Rate Ratings: Garrett Bridger Gilmore from English: Crimson White – June 18

In the second episode of “We Rate Ratings” hosts, Monica and Josh discuss their recent vacations before welcoming guest Garrett Bridger Gilmore, a UA instructor in both English and Race and Gender studies. Together they discuss, Gilmore’s positive RMP reviews, his unique teaching style, how he navigates teaching African American literature and his hopes for the upcoming semester.