A combination of essays and poems by Audre Lorde forms the basis for a Hunter College community discussion—a “community read”—of key issues related to racism. The event originated in post-George Floyd discussions among faculty and staff in which we struggled over what to do as an institution to look both inward and outward in our effort to redress racial oppression. Toward that goal, we sought support for a “community read” of Audre Lorde’s work—work that provides affirmation, inspiration, and guidance to the racially oppressed and their supporters, as well as critical perspectives—and also guidance—for the racially privileged. In this event, organized by Jacqueline Brown and Donna Masini (Hunter College), members of the Hunter community will engage Lorde’s poetry and prose toward the goal of seeing ‘difference’ as a source of creativity and power rather than as threat and danger. The event moderator, Dillonna Lewis, will offer Lorde’s work as a set of resources for the CUNY community as it examines racism and racial justice institutionally and personally. Click here to access the suggested readings (a few poems and short essays) for this participatory event (opens in a new window).
