University Advancement

Marketing and Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN’s Center for Southern California Studies Launches
Lecture Series with LA Times Journalist

(NORTHRIDGE, Feb 5, 2008) — The Center for Southern California Studies at Cal State Northridge will host Erin Aubry Kaplan, a noted journalist for the Los Angeles Times, in the first of a series of lectures to draw attention to issues of importance to Southern Californians.

Kaplan will launch the newly installed lecture series with a talk on local media and its problems, beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Whitsett Room on the fourth floor of Sierra Hall, on the west side of campus at 18111 Nordhoff St.

"Kaplan's lecture is the inaugural event in a new initiative by the Center for Southern California Studies," said center director Josh Sides. "In addition to publishing cutting-edge research on issues of interest to Southern Californians, the center has launched a speaker series, bringing prominent national and international speakers to the college and to the university."

The lecture will reference Kaplan’s family history, including her father’s career as an activist and columnist, and the struggle to maintain the tradition of advocacy journalism in mainstream news.

"My discussion will be on the difficulty of keeping local media focused on problems of South L.A. and elsewhere," said Kaplan. "That problem is directly correlated to the diminishing numbers of black people and a growing tendency in media to de-racialize most issues."

Kaplan has worked for the Los Angeles Times since 1992, becoming its first African American op-ed columnist. Her articles have appeared in numerous periodicals such as Essence, Black Enterprise, Ms., London Independent, the Crisis and Newsday.

"Kaplan’s writing gives voice to the region's African American community," said Sides. "It is an urgent voice, and one we desperately need as that community fades from the physical and political landscape of Los Angeles."

A reception will be held after Kaplan’s speech. Parking is $5 in lot G4 along Zelzah Avenue and Plummer Street. For more information call (818) 677-3317 or visit www.csun.edu/cscs/.

The Center for Southern California Studies was established at Cal State Northridge in 1996 to provide research, education, and service on public policy issues facing Southern California. Driven by the goal of achieving well-informed public policy decisions, the Center offers diverse programs that facilitate pathways to productive policy dialogue aimed at building community capacity and participation. The Center works collaboratively with its Community Advisory Board and its Faculty Advisory Board to define and fulfill its mission.