By Deja Andrades
Every year the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) encourages schools, libraries, churches, etc. to celebrate Black History Month by hosting an African American Read-In.
The English Department hosted its third annual African American Read-In lead on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The event, emceed by Dr. Clint Bryan, provided an opportunity for students and faculty to expand their perspectives of the black community and their daily life experiences in light of Black History Month.
The event allowed for students and faculty to choose any passage or poem from an African American writer of their choosing, which created a diverse display of topics and emotions.
Of the many, a few notable excerpts and their respective authors were read as followed:
“Poetry Should Ride the Bus” by Ruth Foreman
“The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas
“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
“Island” by Langston Hughes
“Receiving the Stigmata” by Rita Dove
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“A Song in the Front Yard” by Gwnedyolyn Brooks
“Call Me Africa” by Julie Wangombe
Some students in attendance said the event helped them understand the African American community better.
“I’m not super well-read in African American literature, so being here always expands my perspective, especially when people read with passion,” Sophomore Abby Henderson said.
