In honor of Black History Month, the Department of History and Political Science will be hosting two lectures on one of the most prominent figures in African American history, Solomon Northup.
Rev. Stanley Helton will present his lecture, “The Gods of Slavery: The Theology of Solomon Northup,” on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. Professor Jerry Sanson of Louisiana State University-Alexandria will present his lecture, “When Solomon Met Clio: Solomon Northup’s Story of Slavery in Red River Valley,” on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Theater.
Both lecturers will discuss the life of Northup, whose historical memoir, “Twelve Years a Slave,” details his life as a slave in the 1800s. This memoir has recently become the basis for an Oscar-nominated film of the same name.
“We invited [Helton] on the recommendation of the Hammond Historic District, which is the co-sponsor and on the basis of a conversation that he and I had prior to scheduling the lecture,” said William Robison, head of the Department of History and Political Science. “Rev. Helton has an extensive education in theology and in 19th century American religious history, and he is an authority on Solomon Northup.”
According to Robison, Sanson was chosen to speak because of his involvement with the restoration of Epps House, a home owned by Edwin Epps, Northup’s owner.
“What we hope that students will get from these two lectures is a fuller understanding of the story behind the Academy Award-nominated film, ‘Twelve Years a Slave,’ and a greater appreciation of the role of slavery in Louisiana history. We also expect both lecturers to be extremely entertaining and to reinforce our persistent message that history is fun,” said Robison.
For more information on the Department of History and Political Science’s upcoming lectures and events, go to the department’s webpage at the univeristy’s homepage.