Political commentator, George Mason University professor and author Michael Fauntroy will discuss his book, Republicans and the Black Vote, a historical look at the GOP and black voters, on Thursday, August 14, at 5 p.m. as part of the Chilmark Free Public Library adult evening series. The free talk is open to the public, hosted by the library and Friends of the Library. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Republicans and the Black Vote examines the complicated relationship between a political party and a constituency from which it receives little support. The book relies on interviews and a review of the historical record to explain the GOP’s early lock on black voters, how they lost black support, how policy positions and political symbolism combine to repel black voters, and how the party can overcome its current position in the black community.

Professor Fauntroy is an assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University, where he teaches courses in civil rights policy and American government and specializes in race and American politics and African American political behavior. Prior to joining the faculty at GMU, he was an analyst in American national government at the Congressional Research Service (CRS). At CRS, he provided research and consultations for members and committees of Congress. From 1993 to 1996, he was a civil rights analyst at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, where he conducted research on major civil rights issues.

Mr. Fauntroy is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and The Cliff Kelley Show on WVON-AM in Chicago. He is a continuing media presence commenting and analyzing national issues. He has been heard or seen on national radio and television networks such as ABC (World News Tonight), CBS (Evening News and the Early Show), CNN (American Morning), MSNBC (Hardball), Fox News (Hannity and Colmes), NBC (Nightly News and Today), Comcast (Your Morning), National Public Radio (Talk of the Nation, Tell Me More, and News and Notes), and XM Satellite Radio (POTUS ’08).

The Chilmark Public Library is located at 522 South Road at Beetlebung Corner.