- Junius P. Rodriguez
Junius P. Rodriguez was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on June 26, 1957. He grew up in the community of
Raceland, Louisiana , and taught in the public school system of Lafourche Parish for nearly a decade.Rodriguez was elected to the position of Parish Councilman after
Lafourche Parish adopted a Home Rule Charter that instituted the council system of government, and he served in that role for one term from 1979-1983.1He is currently a history professor at [http://www.eureka.edu Eureka College] in Eureka, Illinois, who has edited a series of award-winning reference books on the history of slavery. He earned his B.A. from
Nicholls State University (1979), M.A. fromLouisiana State University (1987), and Ph.D. fromAuburn University (1992).2His published works include:
*"The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery", two volumes (1997) – ABC-CLIO3
*"Chronology of World Slavery" (1999) – ABC-CLIO4
*"The Louisiana Purchase: A Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia" (2002) – ABC-CLIO5
*"Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion", two volumes (2007) - Greenwood6
*"Slavery in the United States: A Social, Political, and Historical Encyclopedia", two volumes (2007) – ABC-CLIO7
*"Encyclopedia of Emancipation and Abolition in the Transatlantic World", three volumes (2007) – M.E. Sharpe8In addition, he assisted with development of the documentary "Human Bondage" that aired as part of the [http://www.historychannel.com History Channel's] "History's Mysteries" series in 2000.2
In 2002, Rodriguez was instrumental in drawing national attention to the almost-unheralded passing of the 500th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade. One African American journalist acknowledged his efforts as "a perfect teachable moment for discussion and reflection" that was fitting for the event.9
Rodriguez is currently developing a book on contemporary slavery practices.
References
*1."Louisiana's Road to the Future," "The Daily Comet", Sept. 22, 1987.
*2."Contemporary Authors", Vol. 170, p. 359; "Contemporary Authors New Revised Series", Vol. 125, p.304; and http://www.eureka.edu/Academics/Programs/SSB/Faculty.asp#Rodriguez
*3.Hupp, Stephen L.; Kohl, David F. "Reference & User Services Quarterly", Fall 1998, Vol. 38 Issue 1, p96-96; and http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109169
*4."Journal of Southern History", Feb. 2002, Vol. 68 Issue 1, p246-47; and http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109096
*5.http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=108769
*6.Stratton, Steve. "Booklist", 8/1/2007, Vol. 103 Issue 22, p102; and http://www.greenwood.com/catalog/GR3271.aspx
*7.Glantz, Shelley. "Library Media Connection", Oct 2007, Vol. 26 Issue 2, p91; and http://www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109017&viewid=1
*8."Against the Grain", November 2007, p.65; and http://www.mesharpe.com/mall/resultsa.asp?Title=Encyclopedia+of+Emancipation+and+Abolition+in+the+Transatlantic+World
*9.DeWayne Wickham, "Sad Anniversary Needs Reflection," "USA Today", March 31, 2002; Lewis W. Diuguid, "Discovering the Real America: Toward A More Perfect Union" (Boca Raton, FL: BrownWalker Press, 2007), p. 162.
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