Society’s Pre-existing Conditions: Patterns of the History of Pandemics

The “How It’s Going, How It Started” lecture series wraps up with part five on Tuesday, March 22nd with California State University – Bakersfield Assistant Professor of History Dr. Sean Wempe presenting “Society’s Pre-existing Conditions: Patterns of the History of Pandemics.” Wempe’s talk will highlight how pandemics have, throughout history, exacerbated existing inequalities in societies, particularly in terms of race. The talk will focus on the Seven Pandemics of Cholera, the Third Pandemic of Plague, and the ongoing HIV/AIDS Pandemic as examples to help put the current racism and racial disparities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in context.

All of the “How It’s Going, How It Started” events will be held at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre at 508 S. Main Street in Moscow. Doors will open at 6:30 for the 7:00pm program. The Kenworthy concession stand will be open for refreshments. Each program will also be available for live viewing online.

The “How It’s Going, How It Started” lecture series helps attendees understand how stories featured on the nightly news are more complex and enduring than they may seem. There is also a focus on the ways that historical context plays an essential role in finding solutions to our most pressing issues.