LEWISTON — Joy DeGruy, author of a book about the residual impacts of slavery on African Americans, will visit Bates College to give a talk titled "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome."

An internationally renowned researcher, educator and presenter, DeGruy is the author of "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing." The book addresses the consequences of generations of slavery and invites a discussion of how the black community can use strengths gained in the past to heal in the present.

The book incorporates DeGruy's research in America and Africa, as well as her years of experience as a social work practitioner and consultant to public and private organizations.

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a theory that explains the causes of adaptive survival behaviors in African American communities throughout the United States and the African diaspora. It is a result of multigenerational trauma with continued oppression and the absence of opportunity to heal or access the benefits widely available in society.

This event takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 in the Benjamin Mays Center, 95 Russell St. Presented by the Office of Intercultural Education at Bates, the lecture is open to the public at no cost. For more information, call 207-786-8376.