VCU History Department hosts renowned sociologist and author

By Mike Porter

Renowned sociologist, researcher and author James W. Loewen will challenge history lessons taught in American schools, discuss race relations and examine what are known as "sundown towns," or communities that discourage minorities by force, law or custom.

James W. Loewen will lecture at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Grace Street Theatre, 934 W. Grace St.  The event, sponsored by VCU's Department of History, is free and open to the public.

Loewen co-authored an American history textbook, "Mississippi: Conflict and Change," which won the Lillian Smith Award for Best Southern Nonfiction, but was not approved for use in the Mississippi school system. This led to the 1980 federal lawsuit Loewen v. Turnipseed.  Mississippi school officials argued the book was not included in schools because it focused too strongly on race relations and was controversial, but the judge ruled in favor of Loewen.

Loewen spent two years at the Smithsonian Institution surveying 12 commonly used American history high school textbooks.  He found what he describes as "an embarrassing blend of bland optimism, blind nationalism and plain misinformation."

Loewen's research led him to write "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School Textbook Got Wrong."  He has also written "Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Got Wrong" and "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism."

Loewen will sign copies of his books following the lecture.

To arrange interviews with Loewen, contact Mike Porter at (804) 828-7037.