Griffin presents book to Library

Halifax Community College President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. recently presented Learning Resources Center (LRC) Director Mary Gail Cooper with a copy of “The 21^st Century Hip-Hop Minstrel Show: Are We Continuing the Blackface Tradition?” The book is published by University Readers. The book’s author, Dr. Raphael Heaggans, is one of Griffin’s former colleagues.

According to Heaggans, the book is about how some parts of hip-hop music trace back to slavery, and how hip-hop listeners are psychologically affected by negative elements of the music. These messages can lead listeners to exhibit behaviors and attitudes that contradict their history and culture.

Heaggans is an assistant professor of Teacher Education at Niagara University who earned his doctorate in education from West Virginia University. He is a former consultant with the U.S. Department of Education and a former 7^th and 8^th grade language arts teacher. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and has presented his work in several U.S. states and parts of Canada. Originally from Statesville, N.C., he lives in western New York with son, Christopher.

If local authors would like to present a copy of their original work, the LRC will accept donated copies. Contact Mary Gail Cooper at (252) 536-7237 for details.

Halifax Community College President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. recently presented Learning Resources Center Director Mary Gail Cooper with a copy of “The 21^st Century Hip-Hop Minstrel Show: Are We Continuing the Blackface Tradition?”