FRT: Dear Framingham: A Community Conversation
FRT 2021 Selection: Dear Martin, by Nic Stone
September 9 - October 6, 2021
Join us for this unique multigenerational experience concerning an issue that touches all our lives.
Framingham Reads Together is a shared community experience around one book, Dear Martin, and will culminate in a conversation with the author herself, Nic Stone. This is our sixth “one book, one community” initiative.
Framingham Reads Together is an initiative of:
Framingham Public Library, City of Framingham, Framingham School Department, and Framingham State University.
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About the Book
Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone boldly tackles American race relations in this #1 New York Times bestselling novel. Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.
Print copies, ebooks and digital audiobooks for free download are available here: http://bit.ly/FPL-DearMartin
About Nic Stone
Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
You can find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her adorable little family on most social media platforms.
2021 Programs
Venues and Registration
Please note venue(s) for each event:
•In Person • YouTube Streaming •Zoom
KEYNOTE EVENTS |
Author Talk: Nic StoneAuthor Nic Stone joins us virtually to discuss her book, Dear Martin. Join us in person at either Framingham State University or at the Framingham Public Library for this all-ages, community-wide discussion.
Framingham State University ____________________________ Framingham Public Library Registration: https://bit.ly/Nic-Stone-Author-Talk
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Book Discussion: Dear Martin •In Person •Zoom
Thursday, September 2, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and Zoom
Register at bit.ly/FPL-Dear-Martin-Discussion
Stamped: Presentation and Discussion •In Person •YouTube Streaming
Presented by Joe Corazzini and Taylor Collins
Thursday, September 9, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and YouTube Livestream
Joe Corazzini and Taylor Collins share with us a presentation and a discussion of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s bestselling Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Stamped
Movie Showing: The Hate U Give (rated PG-13) •In Person
Friday, September 10, 6:30 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room*
Starr Carter’s friend is killed by a police officer, and the incident becomes a national news story. She is a witness in the trial, and the movie explores her increasing activism and her relationship with her Black and White friends and family.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-The-Hate-U-Give
Training Active Bystanders •Zoom
Sunday, September 12, 3 pm
Training Active Bystanders (TAB) teaches taking responsible action to help people in need. TAB gives bystanders the competencies they need when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling.
Register at bit.ly/FPL-Training-Active-Bystanders
In collaboration with Open Spirit Center and Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
Dear Martin: Anansi Writes to Dr. King •In Person •YouTube Streaming
Featuring Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
For children in grades 1, 2, 3 and their parents.
Monday, September 13, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room* and YouTube Livestream
Join us for a session of storytelling and a sharing of experiences inspired by Dear Martin and the African fables of Anansi. Rev. Dr. Lloyd will share themes from stories that encourage communication with each other and friendships with people who are different from yourself.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Anansi-Writes-Dr-King
McAuliffe Evening Book Group: Dear Martin •In Person •Zoom
Tuesday, September 14, 7 pm – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room* and Zoom
Register at bit.ly/FPL-Events
McAuliffe Morning Book Group: Dear Martin •In Person •Zoom
Thursday, September 16, 11am – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room* and Zoom
Register at bit.ly/FPL-Events
Alice’s Ordinary People: A Presentation and Discussion •Zoom
With Filmmaker Craig Dudnick
Friday, September 17, 7pm – on Zoom (new location)
Join filmmaker Craig Dudnick’s virtual visit as he discusses meeting Alice Tregay and her extraordinary life of inspiring activism from “ordinary people.” Before the discussion, be sure to watch Alice’s Ordinary People: The Chicago Freedom Movement on Kanopy: https://framinghamlibrary.kanopy.com/video/alices-ordinary-people.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Alices-Ordinary-People
Sharing Stories and Building Bridges •Zoom
With Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
Monday, September 20, 7 pm – on Zoom (new location)
Hear the experiences and stories from the panel of young people here in Framingham, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Lloyd, and join us in an event of building bridges and sharing stories.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Stories-Bridges
Watch Party: Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste •In Person
Wednesday, September 22, 7 pm – Framingham Public Library, Costin Room*
Join us for a viewing of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a video recorded for the National Book Festival.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-Caste-Watch-Party
Movie Showing: I Am Not Your Negro •In Person
Friday, September 24, 6:30 pm – McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room*
This 2016 BAFTA award-winning documentary is based on American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House. It discusses Baldwin’s activism, his observations of American history, and his memories of civil rights leaders.
Register at bit.ly/FRT-I-Am-Not-Your-Negro
Dear Framingham: A Community Conversation •Zoom
Led by Dr. Maritsa Barros, Lisa MacDonald, and Police Chief Lester Baker
Tuesday, September 28, 6:30 pm – Zoom
Dear Framingham is an event that will provide the community an opportunity to engage in conversations about Nic Stone’s book Dear Martin and the themes that came out of the summer read. Come ready to discuss topics such as community relations, social identity, sense of belonging, police relations, and more. The community will have the option of having these conversations in small groups of mixed identities as well as affinity groups. The choice is yours. Let’s gather and discuss our letter of hope to our community in Framingham, Dear Framingham.
Register at bit.ly/Dear-Framingham
*Please check our home page for the most up-to-date information on Covid safety protocols.