Leah Schroeder

A display in the library featuring a variety of novels from Black authors.

The words of African literature echo across the library while students and staff listen intently. This is the annual African American read-in, set to occur March 4 during Academic Lab after a one-year hiatus in 2021. Students and staff will present a variety of literature, such as poems, raps, speeches and other forms of writing, to attendees to celebrate Black History Month and highlight the work of Black writers. 

Librarians Brian Welch and Lauren Reusch have organized the event for years, but this year’s read-in has a few differences from past years. Students will be meeting during Academic Lab instead of during lunch. The read-in will offer eight activities for the first time during the second module, including window graffiti, African drumming and games. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for two activities. 

“The idea is to have a communal feel to delving into the [African] culture. It’s an oral examination and experience for all that show up. We wanted everyone to be together and have that communal experience. It’s a good way for our building, not just the African American community, but our building, to experience African American or African culture through spoken word and literature,” Welch said. “It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of preparation. You can tell that [students] get really into it, and they’re excited. It will impact someone in some way. Hopefully more than someone, but multiple people.”

Senior Ja’Khai Aiken-Guerrier attended the event as a freshman and became passionate about poetry. Aiken-Guerrier is planning on studying poetry to become an author and will be leading the poetry discussion during the second module.

“I’ll be talking about famous Black poets and things that they talk about, whether it’s life, racism or other things they had to overcome and certain opportunities that they got,” Aiken-Guerrier said. “I hope [the read-in] will leave a lot of people with an open mind, whether it was a piece of poetry they read or something that they’re going through happened to this [poet] also. [So,] they can connect and that’ll help them open up more, or go through it easier or just find another way to help them in life.”

Any student can attend by scanning a QR code and filling out the form on the event’s flyer. In addition, participants will need to register on Infinite Campus under Responsive Scheduling. 

“It’s an awareness of a culture that doesn’t always get highlighted. When we’re here and we’re reading, you’re gonna learn about a lot of famous poets and African American writers who have made inroads in our culture. They have a distinct voice, and I think that voice will have an impact on anyone who comes in and participates,” Welch said. “I’ve talked to a lot of students afterward, and they’re like, ‘I’m thankful that I came here.’ It’s an eye-opener for some, and others, it’s just nice to experience who they are as a culture.”

Black writers have a long history of being discriminated against and still face discrimination today. This was underscored as the disparity between the pay of white and Black authors came to light in 2020, as the hashtag #PublishingPaidMe began trending to showcase the reality of being a Black author. With the read-in event, Welch and other organizers hope to highlight some of the histories of Black authors that are not as widely known.

“We are acknowledging that some of the history that might not be taught in our history books is being acknowledged and there are people who have been hidden from us and not necessarily promoted as major figures in our history. When you think of major artists, [they are] generally Caucasian. There’s a lot of other cultures that maybe are hidden as well,” Welch said. “It’s about promoting a recognition that there’s extraordinary people out there that we don’t necessarily highlight.”

Welch believes that messages can have a different impact on students when it comes from their peers. Though students are not required to present literature, Welch strongly encourages students to take part by presenting their text of choice. 

“Anytime you’re in a situation where you have a peer talking to you, you’re probably going to listen because you’re interested in what they are willing to stand up in front of others and say because that’s not easy. It’s not easy to stand up in front of your peers and say what you want to say or be brave and come in and do a reading,” Welch said.

Welch and Reusch hope to foster a sense of community with this event and allow for students to have the opportunity to explore an underrepresented avenue of literature.

“We [can] become more well-rounded people and understand the world around us if we can go outside of ourselves and learn more about others. Whether you’re African American learning about yourself or someone who’s not African American, it has benefits in that regard,” Welch said. “Creating community and culture inside of a school is important. It grounds us into this building and this building is important and being together is important. This is [an event where] you can come together as humans.”