[140] ‘MTSU On the Record’ explores gender identity among tweens in novel

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —Two young women of color who dare to be different are in the spotlight on the next “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Nikki Jones, a lecturer in the Department of Social Work, will air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

Jones is the author of “Lyric and Blake,” a novel about two African-American female junior high school students who defy gender norms by wearing boys’ clothes and dating girls. The book follows their exploration of personal identity among the judgmental cliques in the student body.

For Jones, the novel is intended to present characters with a strong sense of self who could be exemplars for young people who are grappling with sexual identity issues.

“It was very deliberate for me to make sure that I create characters who were self-assured … because they had a strong family network,” Jones said. “In so much of middle school fiction you see children with low self-esteem issues, children who are battling bullying and things like that.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.