In honor of Black History Month, Alton Pollard will be discussing the black religious experience, particularly that of African slaves, at a speech Thursday.
During his speech, Pollard, a professor of religion and cultures at Howard University, will speak on the Middle Passage, the journey many Africans took across the Atlantic Ocean on their way to the United States and slavery.
According to Mary Jane Berman, director of the Center for American and World Cultures (CAWC), Pollard is speaking as part of the Religion and Community series, which examines world religions.
"The purpose of the lecture series is to educate and expose the students to religious and faith traditions with which they might not be too familiar," Berman said.
Gerald Yearwood, assistant director of career services, said he is looking forward to Pollard's visit because he wants students to become more educated about the Middle Passage.
"I think a lot of people don't have a clear sense of what (the Middle Passage) is all about and how many people died," Yearwood said.
Yearwood said many people traveling from Africa to America did not make it across the ocean because of living conditions on the ships and diseases that spread.
"It was dreadful," Yearwood said. "(I hope Pollard gives) a clear and concise sense of what transpired."
Yearwood said Miami students and others will be interested in the Pollard lecture, particularly since it examines the progression of African culture in the United States.
"We need to move forward," Yearwood said. "We need to know and understand in terms of history … I think it will happen."
Pollard will be speaking at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in Multipurpose Rooms B and C in the Shriver Center.
The lecture is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Black History Celebration Committee, the CAWC and the Honors and Scholars Faber Scholar-in-Residence Program.
