Presented in Partnership: RHPL and the OU Center for Public Humanities
- Betsy Raczkowski
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Rochester Hills Public Library and Oakland University’s Center for Public Humanities have begun a partnership this Fall to bring humanities programming to the public. The upcoming slate of events includes a lecture and performance piece, with more collaboration planned for the future.
“RHPL patrons have shared through surveys and comment cards that they want more lecture-format and arts, history, and culture programming,” said Betsy Raczkowski, Head of Communications and Engagement at RHPL. “We felt the best way to expand our offerings would be to partner with a community organization already doing great work, and the Center for Public Humanities felt like a natural partnership given their engaging and diverse program offerings. ”
The OU Center for Public Humanities’ goal is to “cultivate social connections and civic engagement through humanities programming." Director Daniel Clark reports that the CPH is "very excited about partnering with RHPL and the expanded opportunities this brings to put the 'public' in public humanities. RHPL is a local treasure, and we're grateful for this collaboration."
“A cornerstone of our strategic plan is to offer high-quality programs and help people find ways to connect to their community, entertainment, and education.” Said Juliane Morian, Director of RHPL. “This partnership allows RHPL and the Center for Public Humanities to expand our offerings and provide moments of connection and engagement, two items that are close to our hearts at RHPL.”
Visit https://www.oakland.edu/cas/humanities/ to learn more about upcoming lectures and sign up to be notified of future events. Visit calendar.rhpl.org to register for the programs. Programs will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
Tuesday, September 23, 12 p.m. 242 Kresge Library, Oakland University
Journalist—and Holly native—Tracie McMillan will discuss her groundbreaking work in the 2024 book, The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America (Henry Holt & Co.). In this work described by renowned author Kiese Laymon as "courage and absolute genius," McMillan's stunning hybrid of memoir and journalism alternates between her own struggling middle-class family in Michigan and four other white families across generations—and across the country.
Driven by personal history marked with abuse, illness, and poverty, McMillan asks—for real—what has being white ever gotten me?
To answer it, McMillan goes beyond hollow discussions of "privilege." She seeks out whether her family in Oakland County and Ann Arbor benefited from public aid targeted to white families alone, and asks how much it was worth. With that knowledge in hand, she studies what America's steady loss of a safety net—in the form of education, housing, and health care most people can afford—has cost her, too.
Presented with support from the Judd Family Endowed Fund.
Tuesday, October 21, 7 p.m. Multipurpose Room
This one-woman show, written and performed by Kamryn Marck, will leave you inspired by the legacy of women activists in Michigan and hopeful about building a better world right in your own backyard.
Marck, who received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Oakland University in 2015, is a self-described “ecological gardener” and “theatre artist” who has been touring throughout Michigan, giving performances of various productions. Among the women featured in this production are Myra K. Wolfgang, labor union organizer in the mid-twentieth century; Grace Lee Boggs, revolutionary philosopher, activist, community organizer, and honorary doctorate recipient from OU (2012); and Laura Smith Haviland, abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. The performance includes songs such as “This Little Light of Mine” and “Oh! What a Beautiful City.". Ms. Marck credits Winn Kline and OU Professor Karen Sheridan for guidance, support, and inspiration.
Presented with support from the Judd Family Endowed Fund.