Augusta University hosted the African American Read-In 2018 to celebrate black history month

By Madison Brown and Rachel Shomer |Online/Design Editor and Co-Editor in ChiefAugusta University hosted the African American Read-In 2018 on Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to highlight literature written by African American authors in celebration of black history month.The event consisted of readers performing various works of literature by any African American authors that they felt inspired by. Dr. Lee Anna Maynard, an assistant professor of English, read excerpts from the novel, “Mama Day” by Gloria Naylor. Other works such as the poems, “A Place in the Country” by Toi Derricotte and “Old South Meeting House” by January Gill O’Neil were read aloud.The headline event of the African American Read-In took place at 1:00 p.m., where a group of spoken word artists moved the crowd by depicting their raw and heartfelt accounts of lived experience.  These artists included Jansen Douse “Sky3 Hi”, Kiana Williams “Soulful Vision”, Sa Jules, Vanessa Harris, and Chashawna Wesby “Passionate”.There were messages spread about the pressures and unjust obstacles African American and other minority groups face, mythical beauty ideals placed upon women, encouraging women to support each other, respecting each others’ bodies, the importance of friendship and family, and the need for helping each other regardless of whatever forms of differences.As each performer recited their piece, there was a rich sense of emotion, complexity, and high level of energy delivered to the audience. These artworks encouraged audience members to contemplate different intersections of oppression and the need for everyone to think about social injustices to raise awareness and end these struggles.To keep up with the headline artists from the African American Read-In, check out their Instagrams:Jansen Douse “Sky3 Hi“IG: th3mosthiKiana Williams “Soulful Vision”IG: soulful_visionSa JulesIG: sajulesthetruthVanessa Harris “Most Elevated Deepness”IG: mostelevatedChashawna Wesby “Passionate”IG: purposefulpassionate & singersongwriterpassionate Contact Madison Brown and Rachel Shomer at madbrown@augusta.edu and rshomer@augusta.edu