Annual Read-In celebrates black literature

“Together to make it better. Together to make it better.”

High school students of different races held hands and chanted together in the Grand Hall of Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center on Monday.

About 100 students from Bloomington High School South, Bloomington High School North, Aurora Alternative High School and Bachelor Middle School took part in IU’s eighth annual African-American Read-In, a program which gives exposure to black literature during Black History Month.

Dr. Stephanie Carter, associate professor at the IU School of Education, was part of the committee that planned the on-campus event and opened the event with a few words.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate black literature,” Carter said.

She welcomed the students and talked about the background of the program, which she said is in its 21st year nationally and was started by a group of scholars to provide an opportunity to look at great works by African-Americans.

Students from the local schools then sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” is the black
national anthem.

Afterwards students from the audience took turns reading works from well-known black authors such as Langston Hughes, as well as original works.

One student from Bloomington North read a poem called “What if I am a Black Woman?” by an unknown author.

“So ... What if I am a black woman?” she asked. “Is it a crime? Arrest me!”

The student became more passionate as she continued to recite the poem.

“And pray for you too, if you don’t like women of color because we are ... Midnight Black, Chestnut Brown, Honey Bronzed, Chocolate Covered, Cocoa Dipped, Big Lipped, Big Breasted and Beautiful all at the same time!”

Her performance was met with an uproarious applause from the audience.
Between other performances, IU student emcees gave away door prizes.

Poems recited by other students touched on the topics of black pride, friendship, the problems with their generation and the challenges black men and women face. One student from Haiti also addressed the audience and asked for support for her country.
IU junior Jasmine Starks read a poem that was written by a friend, called “To a Queen.”

“I want to sketch the definition of sistah in your soul,” Starks said. “Fab-u-lous.”`
Additional students recited their own works of poetry, each met with enthusiasm by their peers.

The program emphasized the turning of written words into spoken passion.

Bloomington South junior Alexis Allen said she enjoyed learning more about how to support family and other people. She said reading black literature was important to her because written works are comprehensive.

“You can write your feelings better than you can say them,” Allen said.
Carter finished the read-in with words of wisdom.

“Black writers have contributed so much to the world,” Carter said. “You join in, keep telling your stories. It’s okay to be young, gifted and black, right?” she asked the students.

“Right!” they responded.

“It’s okay to be young and gifted, right?” she asked again.
“Right!”