Literature and Politics in the New South Africa

Dennis Brutus, a prominent South African poet, author and political activist, will read from his poetry and discuss “Literature and Politics in the New South Africa” in a free public lecture at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 12 in Luther Bonney Auditorium on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus.

Brutus, professor emeritus of Africana studies at the University of Pittsburgh, now lives in exile in the United States. His work depicts the effects of racial repression on everyday life, in prison, in urban slums, and in exile. He is the author of twelve books of poetry, including “Letters to Martha and Other Poems from a South African Prison” (1969), “Stubborn Hope” (1978) and “Still the Sirens” (1993).

While on the USM campus, he will consult with USM faculty and community residents who are designing a new course on the Immigration from African and Human Rights for a USM Honors Program.

His visit is sponsored by the University Honors Program with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, or for special accommodations to participate fully in this lecture, contact the USM Honors Program at 780-4330.