K-State speaker to present 'French and American Views of Race in 19th Century Louisiana'

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Source: Amy Hubbell, 785-532-1925, ahubbell@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, April 13, 2007

K-STATE SPEAKER TO PRESENT 'FRENCH AND AMERICAN VIEWS OF RACE IN 19TH CENTURY LOUISIANA'

MANHATTAN -- Jarrod Hayes, associate chair and associate professor of romance languages and literatures at the University of Michigan, will present "French and American Views of Race in 19th Century Louisiana" at 4 p.m. Monday, April 23, in Room 212 of the K-State Student Union at Kansas State University.

The presentation is sponsored by K-State's department of modern languages and is part of the College of Arts and Sciences diversity lecture series. It is open to the public.

Hayes received his doctorate from City University of New York in 1996 and has focused his work on the intersection of queer theory and postcolonial studies. His current project, "Queer Roots, Queer Routes: Sexuality, Diaspora, and the Ghosts of Identity," examines the incorporation of the notion of roots and the family tree into articulations of lesbian and gay identities. Hayes also questions what it means to be American, particularly through the study of non-English cultures within the United States.

"This talk will present a literary and historical perspective on contractual relationships between white men and mixed-race women in 19th century Louisiana," said Amy Hubbell, assistant professor of modern languages at K-State. "Hayes will demonstrate how American notions of racial difference can be challenged specifically through the sexual transgression of racial boundaries."