College of Humanities and Social Sciences to Host African American Read-In During February

LOGAN — The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah State University will host an African American Read-In during February 2024. This national initiative, promoted by the National Council of Teachers of English, aims to celebrate and amplify African American literature while fostering a greater sense of community and understanding.

Department of English faculty Adena Rivera-Dundas and Cree Taylor are coordinating the read-in at USU. The event invites CHaSS-affiliated students, faculty and staff to collectively explore Jesmyn Ward’s novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing.” This acclaimed work and winner of the National Book Award was previously recognized as a New York Times “Top 10 Best Book of the Year.”

“This is a great opportunity for folks to come together and discuss a great piece of modern literature,” Taylor said. “Dr. Rivera-Dundas is the perfect guide as we read and then discuss the themes of the text. It is going to be a lot of fun.”

Participants are invited to follow a reading schedule and join in a series of four reading group meetings throughout February. These sessions will be conducted in-person and virtually to facilitate participation from the Logan and Statewide campuses. Refreshments will be provided for in-person participants.

The Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research is covering the cost of books for all participants. RSVPs for physical copies are already underway, but requests for e-book and audiobook formats are being accepted through Jan. 31.

“It is important for us … to read about the experiences of others so we can work to build understanding and awareness of those around us,” Taylor said. “I hope that folks participating in the Read-In will develop a greater capacity to listen to and appreciate the stories of individuals who are different from them.”

USU’s African American Read-In is made possible through the support of sponsors including CHaSS, CIGSR, the History Department, the English Department, and CHaSS FSS4JEDI.

For more information and to sign up, please visit: https://forms.gle/EtS2e2V711Ci6rUn8