Authors Thomas Rush, Mark Kemp to share Asheboro perspectives in library talk

ASHEBORO -- Both Mark Kemp and Thomas Rush grew up in Asheboro in the 1970s, on either side of Salisbury Street: Kemp in mainly white Greystone Terrace, and Rush in the mainly African-American Eastside.

And both, in recent years, have penned memoirs reflecting on their experiences.

The two will come together to share “Perspectives: Growing up in Post-Civil Rights Asheboro,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at the Asheboro library. Their talk is free and the public is invited.

Rush, a freelance writer who has lived in several states throughout the U.S, is author of Reality’s Pen: Reflections on Family, History and Culture, published in 2012. He holds a B.A. in history from Haverford College.

Kemp is author of Dixie Lullaby: A story of Music, Race and New Beginnings in a New South, published in 2004. He is a journalist who has worked for Rolling Stone and MTV, and has served as editor of magazines including Option, Acoustic Guitar, Charlotte’s Creative Loafing and most recently SF Weekly.

He received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for his liner notes to a retrospective album of music by protest singer Phil Ochs.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6803.