African-American Read-In
to be held Monday at NMCC
PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Community College will join other organizations across the country in hosting a Read-In to celebrate Black History Month, as well as to promote literacy. The public is invited to attend the NMCC event, which will take place at noon Monday, Feb. 13 in the college library.
This marks the third year that NMCC faculty and students are taking part in an African-American Read-In. This year’s Read-In topic is “Slave Narratives.” The readings will focus on accounts of what life was like during and after slavery.
“Slave narratives are powerful because they capture first-hand the cruelties, struggles and triumphs experienced by slaves,” said Jennifer Graham, NMCC English instructor and coordinator of the Read-In. “The narratives are vital historical accounts that provide a snapshot of what life was like for slaves. The stories are important as pieces of literature, as well. They form one of the most far-reaching and influential traditions in African-American literature and culture.”
Graham has worked collaboratively again this year with NMCC’s assistant dean of learning resources, Gail Roy, to host the event.
“Over the past three years, the library has expanded the collection of African-American authors and literature,” said Roy. “Each year we create a display to highlight new authors. The display will be in the library throughout the month of February, and we encourage everyone to browse the selections and learn more about the writers and their work.”
The Read-In event is sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and by its Black Caucus, and has been endorsed by the International Reading Association. At the conclusion of this year’s Read-In, Graham and Roy will be submitting details of the NMCC event to NCTE so that it will be included in national statistics regarding this year’s Read-In results.
Anyone interested in reading at the event should contact Graham via e-mail at njgraham@nmcc.edu or by phone at 768-2890 no later than Thursday, Feb. 9. All are welcome and encouraged to come listen to the readings.
