Jonathon Epstein
Dr. Jon Epstein is a Sociologist, criminologist, and author. He most recently served as a member of the Greensboro College faculty and director of the college's Holocaust and special programs after having taught at New Mexico State University, Wake Forest University and College of Wooster and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.He holds a B.A. and M.A. in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Ph.D. in sociology from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
Biography
Dr. Jon Epstein is a Sociologist, criminologist, and author.Dr. Epstein holds the position of vice chair of the city of Winston-Salem’s Citizens’ Police Review Board.The 11-member board advises the city manager and the Winston-Salem City Council’s Public Safety Committee. It also reviews citizens’ request for appeals of the police chief’s decision regarding complaints against police department employees, determines necessity of a hearing, and, when necessary, conducts appeals hearings, which include receiving and evaluating testimony and issuing findings of facts to the city manager for action and the Public Safety Committee for its information.
Epstein most recently served as a member of the Greensboro College faculty and director of the college's Holocaust and special programs after having taught at New Mexico State University, Wake Forest University and College of Wooster and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
He holds a B.A. and M.A. in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Ph.D. in sociology from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
In the late 1990s, Epstein was engaged in anti-extremist work in the Midwest. After a July 4th weekend shooting spree in 1999, Epstein was asked to help create and implement a strategy anti-racist groups could use to weaken, and ultimately render harmless, any racist group with an expressed interest in violent activities directed toward minority groups. Epstein remains an expert on extremist groups and lectures on his work internationally.
Epstein’s published works works include “Adolescents and Their Music: If It’s Too Loud, You’re Too Old” (1994) and “Youth Culture: Identity in a Postmodern World” (1998) and more than a dozen articles in scholarly journals. He has two books forthcoming, one on the expression of values in rock music and one on the sociology of knowledge in ancient civilizations.
In addition to his role as a public intellectual Epstein has an active recording and performance schedule with his band, Haymarket Riot.
Education
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Kent State University, Ph.D.,
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Sociology, Youth Culture, Subcultures, Popular Music, Media Culture, Substance Abuse, Rock Music
Personal Interests
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Dr Epstein lives in Winston Salem with his wife, the writer and artist Kim Thore', and their two dogs, China Girl and Steve (El Grande Chihuahua) where he is active in local progressive politics and serves on the Community Police Review Board. When he is not trying to make the world a better place through academic pursuits, he is an active rock musician, producer, promoter and digital artist.
Websites
Dr Jon Epstein (official)
HayMarket Riot
Jon Epstein's Soundcloud music sampler
Scholars and Rogues
The Healing Blues
Books
Photos
Videos
Published: May 26, 2016
A brief description of Greensboro Colleges' Healing Blues project, including the music video for I Die A Little by Haymarket Riot and information about homelessness.
Published: May 26, 2016
The three sections that make up the Convergence suite were conceived and arranged by Jon Epstein and Sam Seawell. Videography by Patrick Lichty. Section one and three (Kaddish and Sh’ma) draw from traditional Judaic liturgical melodies from the Eastern European tradition, and are the versions of these ancient prayers most familiar to the American and Canadian Jewish Community. The third, Surf Gaza is based on the Israeli National Anthem, Hatikva (The Hope).
Published: May 26, 2016
Web I explores the relationship between identity, connectivity, and surveillance.
Published: May 26, 2016
Part 3 of Haymarket RIOT's first video trilogy, Machine. First of several videos to engage issues of social theory directly through the language of mass media (video). Early work by The Yes Men animator Patrick Lichty. (1996-8)