Graphic Novel Book Club: Big Black Stand at Attica

The first 10 people to register will receive a free copy of the book, Big Black Stand at Attica!

This program is part of a research study titled “What Health Looks Like: Using Graphic Medicine to Bring Underrepresented Voices Forward Through Public Library Health Literacy Programs,” conducted by the University of North Texas Department of Information Science. The graphic novels we will read is Big Black Stand at Attica by Frank "Big Black" Smith.

This program takes place over a period of 6 weeks with individual sessions that last about 2 hours. Total participation time that includes meeting at the library, and reading and drawing at home will be approximately 16 hours.

The purposes of the study are a) to examine how reading and writing comics, also known as graphic novels, can help participants better understand health care experiences for themselves and others, and b) to collect a more diverse range stories about health and wellness in our society. Your participation will influence library programming, as well as education related to health care. Please be sure to download the word document attachment on this page.

More about Big Black Stand at Attica. (Note: This graphic novel may not be suitable for children/teens. This program is suggested for adult audiences)

The uprising at Attica Prison remains one of the bloodiest civil rights confrontations in American history... but without Frank “Big Black” Smith it could have been even worse. Now for the first time, the late Frank “Big Black” Smith shares his experience at the center of this uprising, struggling to protect hostages, prisoners and negotiators alike. Before his death, Frank “Big Black” Smith worked with writer and long time friend, Jared Reinmuth, to share the true story of his time in Attica State Prison. Adapted to a graphic novel by Améziane (Dark Horse’s Muhammad Ali), this is an unflinching look at the price of standing up to injustice.

You can visit https://tinyurl.com/graphicmedadults to view a webpage with information on the research aspect of the program. After you read through the form, you will be asked to give a digital signature. An electronic copy of the consent form will be emailed to you.

To thank you for participation, you will receive drawing supplies at the first meeting and, upon completion of the program, a website link to a $25 gift card from the vendor of your choice.

If you have any questions about the information in the form, please contact me, Dr. Sarah Evans, via email at sarah.evans@unt.edu or by phone at 940-369-8102.