Senate Resolution No. 2108

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING The Center for Black Literature upon
the occasion of hosting its 16th National Black
Writers Conference, and paying tribute to this
year's honoree Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend The Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
16th National Black Writers Conference, and to pay tribute to this
year's honoree Eddie S. Glaude Jr., at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn,
New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honoree is a well-known convener of
conversations and debates; Eddie S. Glaude Jr. takes care to engage
fellow citizens of all ages and backgrounds from young activists, to
fellow academics, journalists and commentators, and followers on Twitter
in dialogue about the direction of the nation; his scholarship and his
sense of himself as a public intellectual are driven by a commitment to
think carefully with others in public; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this year's event is entitled "The Beautiful
Struggle: Black Writers Lighting the Way"; events will be held live and
virtually on Wednesday, March 30 - Saturday, April 2, 2022; and

WHEREAS, An intellectual who speaks to the complex dynamics of the
American experience, Eddie S. Glaude Jr. has written many significant
and noteworthy books, Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the
American Soul, and In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of
Black America, to name a few; he takes a wide look at black communities,
the difficulties of race in the United States, and the challenges our
democracy faces; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man is also the author of two edited
volumes, and many influential articles about religion for academic
journals, as well as writing for The New York Times and Time Magazine;
and

WHEREAS, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., the James S. McDonnell Distinguished
University Professor and chair of the Department of African American
Studies is also the former president of the American Academy of
Religion, and among his many awards and accolades is the Modern Language
Association's William Sanders Scarborough Book Prize; and

WHEREAS, Described as the quintessential Morehouse man, Eddie S.
Glaude Jr. left his home in Moss Point, Mississippi at the age of 16 to
begin studies at the HBCU; he holds both a master's degree in African

American Studies from Temple University, as well as a Ph.D. in Religion
from Princeton University; and

WHEREAS, Eddie S. Glaude Jr. began his illustrious teaching career
at Bowdoin College; in 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from
Colgate University, delivering commencement remarks titled, "Turning Our
Backs", that was recognized by The New York Times as one of the best
commencement speeches of the year; and

WHEREAS, A columnist for Time Magazine and a MSNBC contributor on
programs like "Morning Joe", and "Deadline Whitehouse with Nicolle
Wallace", as well as appearing on "Meet the Press on Sundays"; and

WHEREAS, Attendees of the conference will also examine the
instrumental role Black writers have played in building Black cultural
history, the imprint that this has left in Black literature, and how the
literature of Black writers has impacted present-day and future
generations; and

WHEREAS, Lastly, writers will examine how their beliefs and personal
vigorous actions are used to support the political and social change
they want to see take place in today's society; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when literary
and cultural organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Center for Black Literature upon the occasion of hosting its
16th National Black Writers Conference, and to pay tribute to this
year's honoree Eddie S. Glaude Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Center for Black Literature.