Two American towns, seemingly worlds apart, are connected and separated by a death that forces them to recognize their own dilemma’s.
Western Carolina University will host book author, Alex Kotlowitz, on Nov. 3 for a lecture on his book, “The Other Side of the River.”
The event will be in the University Center Grand Room from 6-7 p.m.
“The Other Side of the River” is this years’ university choice for the book that all freshmen have to read. Based on a true story, this book focuses on two Michigan towns, separated by the St. Joseph River, rocked by the death of a young boy, Eric McGinnis. It explores the misperceptions and attitudes of the two towns towards each other, and the race and class prejudice each town has.
The WCU One book is a book chosen each academic year that relates to the campus theme. This book is distributed to all freshmen, and they are required to read the book and be able to discuss it with their classes.
The event is related to this year’s campus theme, water. The one book and campus theme tend to correspond to each other frequently as the one book committee votes on the book. Chesney Reich, director of the Writing and Learning Commons at WCU, is the leader of the One Book Committee and in charge of organizing the event.
In relation to the campus theme, Reich believes that the river being a focus of the book is a symbol for the divide that exists between two communities.
“In every life, there is a symbolic river that threatens to divide us from members of our own community. It is only when we take time to consider another person’s perspective that we can begin to bridge the divide,” Reich said.
Kotlowitz will follow up the lecture with a reception and book signing in the UC Illusions room at 7 p.m.
