The center continued to support humanities book publications, thanks to the Robert and Margaret Rothman Endowment for the Humanities, and in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This generosity has helped advance scholarly research and dissemination in the humanities, enriching cultural and historical perspectives one book at a time.
Rachel Carrico, Assistant Professor, Theatre + Dance
In her book, “Dancing the Politics of Pleasure at the New Orleans Second Line,” Carrico explores the cultural and political significance of Second Line parades in New Orleans. She analyzes the movements of second liners, demonstrating how their dance serves as a means of negotiating power, reclaiming self and communal identities, and linking joy with liberation. By blending analytical insight with the voices of the Black community, Carrico’s work reveals the profound connection between pleasure, play, and dissent in these vibrant public processions.
Max Deardorff, Assistant Professor, History
Deardorff delves into the complex political landscape of 1570’s New Kingdom of Granada (modern Colombia) in his book, “A Tale of Two Granadas: Custom, Community, and Citizenship in the Spanish Empire, 1568-1668.” During this period, mestizo men (people of mixed Indigenous and Spanish heritage) aspired to gain power in the colony’s major cities, sparking fierce opposition from Spanish nativist factions who viewed them as unequal and unqualified. Deardorff examines the transformative political ideas about subjecthood that eventually enabled some colonial mestizos and acculturated natives to achieve urban citizenship alongside Spaniards. By comparing these events with the experiences of Spain’s last Muslims, who also sought to use new conceptions of citizenship to combat growing prejudice, he illuminates the broader, transAtlantic shifts in political thought that shaped colonial society.
Margaret Galvan, Assistant Professor, English
“In Visible Archives” by Galvan is an exploration the intersection of visual culture and feminist activism. The book focuses on how 1980s visual culture provided crucial spaces for women artists to theorize and depict their own bodies and sexualities. By examining key feminist and cultural moments such as the feminist sex wars, the HIV/AIDS crisis, the women in print movement, and countercultural grassroots periodical networks, Galvan illustrates how visual culture interacted with these pivotal times. The artworks in this book showcase how women articulated their identities and sexualities, providing blueprints for future activism and advocacy — especially relevant in the face of current challenges to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.
Sharon Austin, Professor, African American Studies and Political Science
Austin leads the exploration of Black women’s experiences as mayors in American cities in “Political Black Girl Magic: The Elections and Governance of Black Female Mayors.” This interdisciplinary volume, edited by Austin and contributors, delves into the campaigns, elections, and governance of Black female mayors, where race and gender dynamics play pivotal roles. It examines how these mayors navigate political landscapes, from pursuing economic growth and enacting reforms to addressing challenges that hinder their ability to serve marginalized communities. Case studies span cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Compton, and Washington, D.C., providing historical and contemporary insights into the intersectional challenges faced by Black women leaders in urban governance.
THE SUBVENTION PROGRAM IS INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING QUALITY BOOK PUBLICATIONS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR HUMANITIES SCHOLARS AT UF.