Tom Weiner, a writer and educator, and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, professor of Afro-American Studies, will describe how the experiences of abolitionists who lived centuries ago remain relevant today. They are co-authors of a recent book “Defiance: 20 Abolitionists You Were Never Taught in School” (Oliver Branch Press, 2025).
Largely unknown, the men and women profiled have little in common except a defiant desire to end slavery. Weiner and Dr. Shabazz will share some of the stories. And connect the values of the defiant abolitionists to today’s need for defiance against attempts to whitewash history, ban books, mistreat immigrants, deny trans rights, and more.
Tom Weiner, taught third through sixth grade at the Smith College Campus School in Northampton MA for 40 years and summer school for middle and high school students for 34 years. Dr. Shabazz is a professor in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass Amherst.
