How stories about gun violence affect daily life and an examination of Native American experiences through poetry are among the featured discussion topics at the 13th annual Southeastern Wisconsin Festival of Books.
The two-day festival at the UWM at Waukesha campus begins Friday evening. Free and open to the public, the event is organized by the UWM at Waukesha Foundation in partnership with community groups.
Leslie Harris, an associate professor of communication, is among three UWM panelists taking part in the discussion Saturday about stories of gun violence. Harris is a principal investigator of the Voices of Gun Violence project, which is an archive of stories of gun violence intended to promote healing, understanding and community action.
Also taking part in the discussion are Sheri Williams Pannell, an assistant professor of theater who is a founding member and artistic director at Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, and Simon Bronner, dean of the College of General Studies and distinguished professor of social sciences. Bronner is the author and editor of over 40 books including “Killing Tradition: Inside Hunting and Animal Rights Controversies.”
Kimberly Blaeser, a UWM professor emerita of English and past Wisconsin poet laureate, will take part in a panel looking at the experiences of Native Americans through poetry, the law and memoir.
Overall, the annual community festival of literacy and arts will feature 60 authors and presenters over 28 panels and presentation.
