An African American couple has filed a lawsuit accusing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission of racial discrimination after the commission twice denied their offers to purchase a historic African American school in Huntersville.
The live virtual Town Hall features prominent speakers who will talk about creating sustainable changes for the African American community on February 27, 2021.
The niece of playwright
August Wilson is sharing her concerns after a private school in Charlotte ended the contract of a 14-year-old Black student when his mother complained of his class reading Wilson’s Fences for a school assignment.
Faith Fox, the mom of 9th grader
Jamel Van Rensalier, told WBTV in December that her son’s enrollment contract at Providence Day School was terminated after she complained about the play’s use of the N-word and lack of diversity in her son’s classroom.
Dr. Kimberly Ellis, scholar and niece of August Wilson, says she understands why Fox had concerns.
Scholar, niece of âFencesâ playwright sends letter to Charlotte school after student contract terminated
August Wilson s niece talks Fences controversy By Brandon Hamilton | January 13, 2021 at 11:52 PM EST - Updated February 9 at 2:49 PM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - After a controversial assignment gained national attention last month, the niece of the playwright also shared her concerns.
Faith Fox told WBTV in December that her 14-year-old son, Jamel Van Rensalier, had his enrollment contract terminated from Providence Day School in Charlotte after she raised concerns about his class reading August Wilsonâs âFences.â
Some of the concerns included the use of the N-word in the play and the lack of diversity in her sonâs classroom. Dr. Kimberly Ellis, scholar and niece of August Wilson, says she understands why Fox had concerns.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of
Toni Morrison’s first novel, “The Bluest Eye.”
Oprah Winfrey chose the work for her book club 30 years ago, and TODAY’s
Jenna Bush Hager, who says it’s her favorite book, spoke with the TV titan about their mutual love of the story.
The novel takes place in Morrison’s hometown of Lorain, Ohio, and tells the story of a young African-American girl, Pecola, who grows up during the years following the Great Depression. Set in 1941, the story tells that due to her mannerisms and dark skin, she is consistently regarded as “ugly.” As a result, she develops an inferiority complex, which fuels her desire for the blue eyes she equates with “whiteness” and beauty.