Claudia Rankine Shares Poetry & Discusses Everyday Racism
October 02, 2016
UMD Writer's Block describes poet's visit to campus.
Teri West | UMD Writer's Block.
"Poetry can confront the racism that white supremacy pins on every black life, esteemed poet and 2016 MacArthur Fellow Claudia Rankine told a sold out audience at The Clarice late Thursday.
"The free event included poetry readings, a conversation with Sheri Parks, an associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and a question-and-answer period. The theme of white supremacy and the struggle to dismantle it was pervasive throughout.
"'Through language we can bring back … what is actually real, rather than this constructed society where white dominance has to stay in place at all costs,' Rankine said.
"The poet discussed how consistent racism is throughout black life, whether you are as successful as Michelle Obama or lose a loved one to police violence like Tamir Rice’s mother."
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