December 2, 2010 — Does violence make you crazy? Not exactly, but it can feel that way. Survivors of violence – veterans, victims, prisoners and others – often suffer from physical, emotional and psychological problems.

At noon on Dec. 14 in the Charlottesville City Council Chambers, Roberta Culbertson will speak on the many sides of "survivor spirituality" and how recognizing this dimension of violent experience can help survivors not only to heal, but to grow in their own spirituality. This free lecture, to be followed by questions and discussion, is open to the public.

Culbertson, who holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Virginia, founded the Center on Violence & Community at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities to show how the humanities – art, poetry, history and philosophy – can be instrumental in understanding and healing the emotional wounds made by violence. The program offers publications and educational opportunities to help people understand violence and to assist in healing from the emotional damage violence causes.

Culbertson is the editor of "Surviving War," a collection of poetry, essays and photographs for veterans, family members and personnel working with veterans, and "Tough Times Companion," a collection of poetry, photography and essays for people suffering difficult times.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, based at U.Va., is a non-profit educational organization, created in 1974. It serves as a catalyst for the cultural, civic, artistic and educational vitality of the commonwealth.