Author Talk: Dave Markward

Join us as author Dave Markward talks about his book From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America.

Synopsis

From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America is the author’s memoir of learning about racism. It starts as a young boy in the nearly all-white city of Dubuque, Iowa and spans a lifetime of discovery that continues to this day. Built upon interviews, serendipitous encounters, and scholarly research, the author shares his evolution from an ignorant racist to one joining the fight for social justice and equity. Utilizing a style that is engaging, informative and revealing, readers are taken on a soul-searching journey to discover and examine their own beliefs and actions. 

Each of the nine chapters starts with a simple question. Have you ever been profiled? Do Black lives really matter? Is there hope? Readers are provided a series of thought-provoking examinations of historic racial issues and present-day events as they view America from perspectives of the past as well through the lenses of Black men and women today.

Paraphrasing an old saying: We can only solve problems if we first recognize they exist. From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond recognizes the problems, identifies their origins, and offers the hope and strategies to solve them. 

About the Author

Dave Markward has dedicated his professional life to public education, serving as a trusted source of knowledge for five decades. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School (Iowa) and Augustana College (Illinois), Dave earned two advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University. He started his career as a junior high school science teacher, then served as a coach, principal, school district superintendent (including the Cedar Rapids Community School District), college instructor and educational consultant. His first book, Free the Teachers: A Guide to Joyful Teaching and Learning, is dedicated to productive education reform. In his latest work, From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America, Dave delves into the complex world of racism. His memoir is a testament to his unwavering belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change.