Ed School Read-In honors African-American writers

Nearly 200 local high school students, parents, IU students and faculty filed into the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, braving the slippery conditions, to attend the second annual African-American Read-In.\nThe Read-In was held from 10 a.m. to noon and was part of the 15th National African-American Read-In Chain sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. IU's School of Education planned the event in which participants read selected poems and passages by African-American authors.\nStephanie Carter, assistant professor in language education, brought the Read-In to IU last year. \n"This originally began because there was a great need for multiculturalism in the classroom," Carter said. "It is my goal to make students aware of the great contribution African Americans have made in literature."\nKipchoge Kirkland, assistant professor in the School of Education, opened the Read-In. \n"Reading is powerful, magical and teaches us about ourselves and who we are," Kirkland said.\nHis words were followed by the anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," sung by Treniece Robinson.\nCarter said the goal of the Read-In was to promote national awareness of the contribution blacks have made to literature. \n"We must never forget their struggles and remember their accomplishments," Carter said.\nThrough more involvement statewide, Carter said she feels the message will reach and impact more people. She said she hopes the event will become a tradition at IU and the community will continue to support it for years to come.\nThroughout the readings, in a laid-back, hand-clapping environment, many students had the opportunity to read great works of African-American authors. Many students shared poems and passages of their own. The speakers addressed issues such as freedom, inequality and poverty.\nThe North Side Steppers performed an enthusiastic stepping demonstration, and an open microphone section allowed students and attendants who were not part of the program to speak or read to the audience.\nA PowerPoint presentation allowed the audience to "remember the struggles and celebrate the legacy of African-American writers."\nThis year, the high school students designed a T-shirt to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation case. The winners were Bloomington High School North students Mitchell Caver and LaToya Edwards.\nThe Read-In concluded with final words from Gerardo Gonzalez, dean of the School of Education.\n"Pursue your dreams through education," Gonzalez said. "Keep that wonderful dream of Martin Luther King alive."\nThe Read-In was followed by a luncheon for the students and a peer panel discussion. IU students were able to share their experiences as undergraduates with the high school students.\n"The Read-In serves as a dual purpose for students in the Bloomington area who do not always have the opportunity to come onto campus," Carter said. "The students are given the opportunity to explore great African-American literature. Maybe we will win the students over and attract them to the campus."\n-- Contact staff writer Kristin Huett at khuett@indiana.edu.