African Americans, Chicken and the Power of Food: Lecture by Psyche Williams-Forson October 12, 2006

In her new book, Building Houses Out of Chicken Legs, University of Maryland professor Psyche A. Williams-Forson uses a recipe of scholarly analysis, personal interviews, film, advertisements, cookbooks and literature to examine the complex role of the chicken in African American life. She pays special attention to the connection between chickens and African American women. Since slavery to the present they have fed their families with chickens they raised, made a living cooking and serving chickens in houses, restaurants, on the roadside and, indeed, in churches.

Fondly called the “gospel bird” by many, chicken has been used to create positive images and negative stereotypes of African Americans. Williams-Forson’s book gives us a taste of both. Her interest in food, food customs and scholarship began because it seems her mother makes the world’s best fried chicken. That claim alone should lead to a lively discussion. Williams-Forson is assistant professor of American studies at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Sponsored by the Prince George's County Library System and the Prince George's Arts Council. This event is free and open to the public.

Official Website: http://www.pgcmls.info