University News

WIU School of Education and Macomb Middle School host Author Book Reading April 11

March 14, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois University School of Education and Macomb Middle School will host an Author Book Reading, a middle-grade contemporary fiction novel, "Stand" by Joel Estes from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in Horriban Hall Theater, room 114. This event is open free to the public.

Estes' novel "Stand" is about Ethan Strong, who has been suspended from middle school, but that's not his only burning dilemma. Ethan's best friend, Demarcus, has also been suspended. Ethan is white, Demarcus is Black and is regularly confronted with discrimination and systemic racism as a young Black boy in America. As their relationship evolves, Ethan is forced to come to terms with the question of his own identity and must decide when and how he will stand for his growing consciousness of prejudice, discrimination and privilege.

"I wrote ‘Stand' based on my experiences in my career as a lifelong educator. Through the years, I have seen the power of personal relationships. These have been both student to student and child to teacher. In my career, I have witnessed both troubling examples of discrimination and heartening instances of personal courage and integrity." Author Joel Estes said. "I knew that there were many middle grade and young adult books which have been published about intolerance and prejudice from the Black perspective. Those are incredibly important and relevant for all of us. Still, I had not seen a book dealing with intolerance and privilege from a white character's point of view. One of the reasons I wrote ‘Stand' was to help young people see that it's okay to stand for your convictions and to be an ally in the struggle for acceptance and tolerance."

The first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of the novel and all who attend will receive free event parking outside of Horriban Hall.

For more information, contact the WIU College of Education and Human Services Dean Jill Bisbee, at jm-bisbee@wiu.edu

Posted By: Kelsey Brown (kl-brown5@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing