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October 10Pretend the Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson
Dorian Hairston, English Teacher
Fayette County Public Schools
Joshua "Josh" Gibson (1911–1947) is a baseball legend―one of the greatest power hitters in the Negro Leagues, and in all of baseball history. At the height of his career, this trail blazing athlete suffered grueling physical ailments, lost his young wife who died giving birth to their twins, and endured years of Jim Crow–era segregation and discrimination―all the while breaking records on the ball field.
Dorian Hairston's debut poetry collection explores the Black American experience through the lens of Gibson's life and seventeen-year baseball career, which culminated in his posthumous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Hairston brilliantly reconstructs the personas of Gibson and others in his orbit whose encounters with white supremacy interweave with the inevitability of losing loved ones. By alternating between the perspectives of Gibson, members of his family, and contemporary Black baseball players, Hairston captures the complexity and the pain of living under the oppressive weight of grief and racial discrimination.
About the OLLI at UK Donovan Forum Series:
Since 1970, the Donovan Forum Series has offered educational and entertaining presentations on Thursdays every Fall and Spring. These forums are free and open to the public, although registration prior to each forum is required. Donovan Forums this semester will be held at the Lexington Senior Center. The limit is 80 attendees in-person. Please be sure to register in advance to reserve an in-person spot. You can also register to attend remotely via Zoom.
Use the ticket link to register. OLLI at UK online account required to register. OLLI Membership is not required for Donovan Forums. Refer to our FAQ page below for guides on account creation and how to register for events. https://olli.uky.edu/uky/course/course.aspx?catId=12
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Lane,Lexington,KY,United States
Tickets
