Alex Kotlowitz, best-selling author of “The Other Side of the River” visited Western Carolina University on Wednesday, Nov. 3, to discuss his book with students.
“The Other Side of the River” was chosen as WCU’s one book for 2021-2022. It was chosen because of its relation to the campus theme, water. The book also details racial and police brutality issues that are relevant today.
Kotlowitz, an author and journalist has written four books. His most popular, “There Are No Children Here”, is a national bestseller. According to his website, The New York Public Library selected it as one of the 150 most important books of the twentieth century.
“The Other Side of the River” is a nonfiction book detailing the difference between two towns separated by a river. The book discusses the death of the young boy Eric McGinnis and how the debate over his murder forced both towns to face their own prejudices.
Kimberly Hydrick, a freshman, says when she found out the book was based on a true story, it made reading it much more real for her.
“To me, reading it was a whole different experience, knowing that this had actually happened, and it wasn’t just something he had come up with in his mind,” Hydrick said.
Megan Normandin, a freshman, said she appreciated the book and the lecture because of how prevalent the topic is in today’s world. She thought the lecture was very touching.
During the lecture Kotlowitz focused on discussing the importance of not judging one another based on one narrative.
“It is dangerous to think that people only have a single narrative. We need to push ourselves, and imagine ourselves as others, because that is the best way to find empathy within ourselves,” Kotlowitz said to the large crowd of around 200 students.
Kotlowitz also emphasized how having empathy for others is not the same as having sympathy. We should not feel guilt, but we should be understanding.
After the lecture and Q&A segment, Kotlowitz and the students moved on to a meet and greet and book signing.
WCU One Book will be hosting “Coffee with a Cop” on Monday, Nov. 8. in the UC Grandroom to go along with the book. Students can register for this event on Engage.
On Nov. 10, the WCU Town Hall on Race will be occurring in the UC Multipurpose room.
