Reading Series: Quantifying Bloodlines

Quantifying Bloodlines is a monthly reading group organized by anthropologist and oral historian Jennifer Scott.  Join others interested in exploring the relationship between biology and race, as we discuss two widely acclaimed books. Each work offers different examples of tracing family history - through a surname, through biological cells, through a specific geographic locale, through four generations of women's lives. Through stories, we will discuss how we segment heritage and explain descent, paying close attention to past and existing ideas of purity, racial and economic privilege, and scientific thinking. 

All sessions meet in the Othmer Library at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Light refreshments will be provided.

Sign up for one individual session for $20, or join us for both sessions at a discounted price of $35! All sessions are available for a sliding scale fee, and no-one will be turned away for lack of funds.

What's Biology Got to Do with It? The Social Life of Genetics
November 16th, 3PM
Reading: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Guest Speaker: Sociologist Ann Morning, author of The Nature of Race 

What's Purity Got to Do with It? Searching Family History and Genealogy
December 7th, 3PM 
Reading: The Fiddler on Pantico Run: An African Warrior, His White Descendants, A Search for Family by Joe Mozingo

Quantifying Bloodlines Reading and Discussion Series is co-sponsored by MixedRaceStudies.org