An American Lecture in the History of Religions (ALHR), Dr. Townes' presentation will discuss how democracy has become a contested ideal in recent years and how the combination of work and willpower, or "colored orneriness", is necessary to creating a more just society. This program is sponsored by Temple Libraries, Temple's Department of Religion and the  American Academy of Religion.

Townes is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies at Boston University School of Theology.