Michael Eric Dyson Heads to Georgetown

Written by DCist contributor John Harlow

Earlier this week, Georgetown announced the appointment of Michael Eric Dyson to the university's faculty. A controversial media figure - Dyson was notably involved in a public spat with Bill Cosby, when he called the comedian's comments on race and poverty during a 2004 NAACP award speech "dangerously naive and empirically wrong" - and prolific author of nearly a dozen volumes of social and cultural theory, Dyson may be exactly the type of academic celebrity and wave-maker who could inject some lively debate into the ivy-covered campus.

Dyson gave an immediate clue about his plans for Georgetown in an interview with the Post yesterday, in which he outlined his desire to "forge connections between the city and the university, with the black community, which perhaps felt alienated from Georgetown". The university is rarely recognized for efforts to engage the greater D.C. community on issues of racial and economic disparity, and officials are clearly hoping that Dyson can help change that. According to their initial comments, Dyson will be given great latitude to teach across multiple disciplines and build funding and support for ambitious community-centered initiatives.

Whatever happens, MED is likely to make an immediate splash. You can catch Dyson in person at Politics and Prose Bookstore on July 19. He'll be appearing there to discuss his newest book, Know What I Mean? starting at 7 p.m.