A flurry of books published recently by DePaul University professors offer refreshingly original viewpoints on topics that have been explored in narrower contexts in the past: Martin L. King, Jr., Jesus Christ and Cuban exiles in the United States.

     The professors are available to talk about the religious and political issues surrounding their current works.

     Ironically, Michael Eric Dyson's introduction to Martin L. King, Jr. occurred at the time of the civil rights leader's death. At nine years old, while watching the television replay of King's final moments before his life was snuffed out by a gunman in Memphis, Dyson committed to learning everything he could about the fallen hero. In a voice that resonates with honesty usually reserved for youth, "I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr.," brings into focus the real King-the man many have forgotten and others never knew. The man who suffered depression and ridicule from those closest to him, the man who was not the colorblind integrationist that the media serves up every year in January. The King that Dyson reconstructs supported conditional segregation at the time of his death, actively opposed the war in Vietnam, advocated socialism, and was all but vilified by the black church. Dyson addresses King's radical stances that fueled his unpopularity as well as his plagiarism and promiscuity. Dyson also minces no words in criticizing the King family's tight control of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. "In the end, Dyson successfully proves how vital King's true political views and personality are to struggling and frustrated black youth today," says Publisher's Weekly of the tome.

     Dyson, an expert on race, religious ethics and hip-hop culture, is available to discuss any topic related to Martin L. King, Jr. and his legacy.

Michael Eric Dyson
Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor, DePaul University
Office: 773/325-4675
E-mail: mdyson@wppost.depaul.edu

     Many critics have been misled by this book's controversial title. "Jesus the Holy Fool" is actually an examination of the ancient Christian tradition of holy foolishness and the misperception of great spiritual figures by their own contemporaries. In the author's own words: "It's reflective of how some contemporaries failed to recognize the true significance of Jesus and considered him foolish at the time." Stewart offers fresh insights into Christology and explores its practical, pastoral ramifications. She presents holy foolishness as a paradigm for the Christian journey and as a new model for what it means to be church. The Catholic Theological Union refers to "Jesus the Holy Fool" as a portrayal of Jesus "that is both reverent and challenging."

Stewart, an expert on Christian spirituality and religion, is available to talk about the ancient Christian tradition of holy foolishness.

Elizabeth-Anne Stewart
Religious Studies Instructor and University Minister, DePaul University
Office: 773/325-4460
E-mail: estewart@wppost.depaul.edu

     "In the Land of Mirrors" is a journey through the politics of Cuban exiles since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. It explores the development of Cuban exile politics and identity within the United States and Cuba, as well as the changing nature of the nation- states and its impact on diaspora communities. Torres was born in Cuba and airlifted to the United States during Operation Pedro Pan. "In the Land of Mirrors" examines the meanings and ramifications of political exiles from the author's own experiences and political activism as well as interviews and historical archives. It covers the origins of post-revolution exile enclaves of the 1960s, the evolution of the Cuban community, the pluralization of exile politics in the 1970s, the emergence of Cuban-American political action committees, post-Cold War developments and the transition of Miami by the coming of age of a second generation of Cuban-Americans and the arrival of a new wave of exiles.

     An expert on Latin politics, U.S.-Cuban relations and Operation Pedro Pan, de los Angeles Torres is available to talk about Cuban exile.

Maria de los Angeles Torres
Associate Professor of Political Science, DePaul University
Office: 773/325-1984
E-mail: mtorres@wppost.depaul.edu