SIU’s Paul Simon Institute hosts award-winning author to discuss civil rights, presidential politics

September 13, 2024

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Samuel Freedman, an award-winning author and journalist, will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and present a lecture on civil rights and presidential politics in America on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Freedman will present "When Civil Rights Won the House: Harry Truman, Hubert Humphrey, A. Philip Randolph and the Breakthrough of 1948." The free, public lecture is at 6 p.m. in Morris Library's John C. Guyon Auditorium. Registration to attend the discussion is recommended but not required.

During his discussion with John Shaw, institute director, Freedman will also reflect on the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and discuss his career in journalism and writing.

"Samuel Freedman is an extraordinary teacher, journalist and author," Shaw said. "We are eager to learn from Sam about the enduring struggle for civil rights in the United States and how this struggle has affected American politics."

The institute will also host a reception outside of Guyon auditorium at 5 p.m. During his visit, Freedman will meet with SIU Carbondale journalism students and faculty and other members of the Carbondale community.

Freedman, a professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, has taught classes on book writing and developed more than 100 authors, editors and agents.

Freedman has written 10 books, including "Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights" in 2023. His other works include "Breaking the Line: The Season in Black College Football That Transformed the Game and Changed the Course of Civil Rights" in 2013; "Small Victories: The Real World of a Teacher, Her Students and Their High School" in 1990; "The Inheritance: How Three Families and America Moved from Roosevelt to Reagan and Beyond" in 1996; "Jew Vs Jew: The Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry" in 2000 and "Letters to a Young Journalist" in 2006.

Freedman has a bachelor's degree in journalism and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a staff reporter for The New York Times from 1981 through 1987. While still working for the newspaper, Freedman wrote the "On Education" column from 2004 through 2008 and the "On Religion" column from 2006 to 2016.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions on the registration form or email questions to [email protected].

More information, a list of the institute's upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.

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