Emily Walton will give an author reading and talk on March 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the Meriden Library. The event is free and open to the public.
Emily Walton is the author of Homesick: Race and Exclusion in Rural New England:
About Homesick: Race and Exclusion in Rural New England
- Author: Emily Walton
- Genre: Nonfiction, social science / sociology
- Publisher: Stanford University Press
- Published: November 25, 2025 (various formats)
What it’s about
This book explores how racial demographic changes in rural northern New England — including areas like the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont — are reshaping small towns. Walton investigates how white residents maintain social hierarchies through “misrecognition” — that is, refusing to see people of color as fully legitimate and welcome members of these communities. She argues that this dynamic can create a poignant sense of homesickness for those who want to belong but are treated as outsiders, even in places that are often considered progressive.
📍 Key themes
- Demographic transition and racial diversity in rural communities
- Social exclusion and belonging
- How perceptions of identity, place, and “home” intersect with race and migration
- Reflections on inclusion and local culture in a changing New England landscape
Hope to see you at this important talk!