We welcome you to our conversation with jo urnalist and author Lee Hawkins as he talks to us about the examination of his family&rsquo\;s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in t his riveting memoir\, \;I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My Family& rsquo\;s History Set Me Free. \;
\nI Am Nobody&rsquo\;s Slave&nb sp\;tells the story of one Black family's pursuit of the American Dream th rough the impacts of systemic racism and racial violence. This book examin es how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thrivi ng in America\, influenced each generation\, and how they succeeded despit e these challenges.
\nTo their suburban Minnesotan neighbors\, the H awkinses were an ideal American family\, embodying strength and success. H owever\, behind closed doors\, they faced the legacy of enslavement and ap artheid. Lee Hawkins\, Sr. often exhibited rage\, leaving his children anx ious and curious about his protective view of the world. Thirty years late r\, his son uncovered the reasons for his father&rsquo\;s anxiety and occa sional violence. Through research\, he discovered violent deaths in his fa mily for every generation since slavery\, mostly due to white-on-Black mur ders\, and how white enslavers impacted the family&rsquo\;s customs.
\nHawkins explores the role of racism-triggered childhood trauma and chro nic stress in shortening his ancestors' lives\, using genetic testing\, re porting\, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how genealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all rac es\, revealing through their story the story of America&mdash\;a journey o f struggle\, resilience\, and the heavy cost of ultimate success. Register today to join the conversation!
\nAbout the Author: \;LEE HAWKI NS was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead reporter on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the \;Wall Street Journal\, where he wo rked for nineteen years. He has received several fellowships\, including T he Carter Center&rsquo\;s Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Jou rnalism\, the Alicia Patterson Foundation Journalism Fellowship\, the O&rs quo\;Brien Fellowship for Public Service Journalism\, the USC Annenberg Ce nter for Health Journalism National Fellowship for reporting on child well -being. Hawkins is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists&rsquo\; &ldquo\;Salute to Excellence&rdquo\; Award. He is the creator and host of the podcast &ldquo\;What Happened in Alabama?&rdquo\; and lives in the New York City area.
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The views expressed by presenters are their own and th eir appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any e ntity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Orange County Library Syst em.
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