Oceanside CA— This year, “One Book, One San Diego” made an unprecedented choice with the award-winning March: Book One, a graphic memoir about the Civil Rights Movement by U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. In keeping with this historic selection, an Oceanside Public Library panel discussion will highlight the significant themes of the book. The free, public event will be held in the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 10.
The panelists are all locally active in Civil Rights work and will include: Reginald Owens, a decorated Sergeant Major- retired USMC- and Palomar Community College Professor, who has repeatedly served as President of North San Diego County Chapter of NAACP; Janet Bledsoe Lacy, recognized by the North San Diego County NAACP, who is a partner in one of the oldest and largest law firms in Oceanside, and has led major fundraising for Oceanside’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Program; Max Disposti, local human rights activist, and founder and executive director of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center; Janetha Bailey Long, a lifelong educator and board member of North County African American Women’s Association, who experienced firsthand the bus boycotts and the Selma to Montgomery March in the 60s; and Jimmy Figueroa, born and raised in Oceanside, who received his JD from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, served as a Law Clerk for the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office and is currently the Program Manager for the Resilience Community Mentoring Program and helps lead other youth and educational support efforts. Panelists Owens, Bledsoe Lacy and Disposti are all recipients of Oceanside’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Award.
In addition to discussing their own experience, the panelists will explore the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the current state of Civil Rights in the United States. Time will be allowed for questions from the audience. Moderating the discussion will be MiraCosta College professor Dr. Bruce Hoskins, who earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on race and ethnic relations and multiracial identity formation. For more information about Library services and programs, visit www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org or call (760) 435-5600.