'To Sir, With Love' Author to Speak at MCLA

Print Story | Email Story
E.R. Braithwaite, author of “To Sir, With Love,”
NORTH ADAMS - E.R. Braithwaite, author of “To Sir, With Love,” will speak at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. in Murdock Hall, Room 218. The event is free and open to the public. “In addition to his distinguished teaching and writing careers, E.R. Braithwaite is the author of numerous books, including the best selling 'To Sir, With Love,' and has played an important role in world affairs as a diplomat with the United Nations,” said Matthew Silliman, MCLA philosophy professor. “This evening promises to be a fascinating encounter with a person of rare intellect, tremendous spirit and energy and remarkable accomplishments.” “An Evening with E.R. Braithwaite” will consist primarily of a conversation with the audience, Silliman said. “To Sir, with Love,” a 1967 British film starring Sidney Poitier, was based on Braithwaite’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. It dealt with social issues, especially racism, in an inner-city school. Braithwaite graduated from Cambridge University in England with a specialization in physics. He also received honorary doctoral degrees from Oxford University and La Sorbonne University of Paris. His long international career includes serving as ambassador to the United Nations for Guyana and as Guyana's ambassador to Venezuela. In addition, Braithwaite was an educational consultant and lecturer for the U.N. Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris. Braithwaite also has been on the teaching faculty and served as writer in residence at New York University and Florida State University. He is currently a writer in residence at Howard University, teaches honors English and is on the board of trustees of the Krasnow Institute at George Mason University. The event is co-sponsored by the MCLA honors program, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the departments of English/communications, education and history/political science. For more information, go to www.mcla.edu/upcoming
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More North County Stories