The Alternative Press

SCOTCH PLAINS – Jahaira Arias of Rutgers University began the Big Read lecture series Thursday night at the Scotch Plains Public Library.  Her presentation covered the recent history of the Dominican Republic and the period in which the real-life events of Julia Alverez’s In The Time of the Butterflies took place.  Slides, photos, and political cartoons illustrated Ms. Arias’ lecture, which included the 30-year period when General Rafael Trujillo was the dictator.

There was discussion about Julia Alvarez’s family, the murder of Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabel on November 25, 1960, and the assassination of Trujillo in 1961.

Jahaira Arias is a seventh year doctoral student in the department of History at Rutgers University. She specializes in the history of Latin America and is interested in the politics of race, nation, region and gender in the Caribbean.

The next lecture in the series will be Monday, March 4 at 7:00. Andrea Karanik, a Social Studies teacher at SPF High School, will explore the history and symbolism of protest art.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. In the Time of the Butterflies Lecture Series is held at the Scotch Plains Public Library, 1927 Bartle Ave., Scotch Plains. For more information please see their website at www.scotlib.org or call 908-322-5007.