Read-In promotes black literature

By LAUREN REBECCA NYE
Collegian Staff Writer

About 200 Penn State students, faculty and State College residents attended Centre County's first African-American Read-In last night at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

The Read-In is part of a national program to encourage literacy and the reading of African-American literature. This Black History Month, it was sponsored by local bookstores, including Svoboda's Books, 227 W. Beaver Ave., the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave., and the Penn State Bookstore, as well as individual donors.

Elaine Richardson, Penn State assistant professor of English, initiated the process of incorporating the program into Penn State's recognition of Black History Month. As a member of the black caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English, Richardson viewed the program's start as a way of reaching out to her home institution. Formerly a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Richardson had also organized that school's Read-In.

"This is for everyone," she said. "I hope that everyone liked it, for we can all identify on a human level with what was presented here."

In a backdrop of drums, keyboards and amplifiers, several professors, graduate and undergraduate students and children read works written by Toni Morrison, Martin Luther King Jr., as well as self-written pieces. Urban Fusion moved the audience with its musical tribute to black musicians.

Among the presenters was Mursulata Muhammad (graduate-English) who performed an expressionistic dance in salute to writer and activist Josephine Baker.

"I am truly impressed with Elaine's devotion to making this happen, especially in her first year here at Penn State," Muhammad said.

Sandra Spanier, associate professor of English and women's studies, read an essay titled "In Search of Our Mother's Gardens." State College resident Sherren McKenzie also performed a cultural expression of an African-American folktale called "The Ugly Buzzard." The show concluded with the upbeat performance by the State College Area High School Drill Team, "Steppin' for African-American Literature."

English Department head Don Bialostosky presented awards to State College Mt. Nittany Middle and Park Forest Middle school students. First, second, third and honorable mention prizes were given in the categories of rap, poetry, essay and creative writing.

Although some Penn State students attended the Read-In to support performers, or to complete a class assignment, others came for personal fulfillment.

Lauren Luloff (sophomore-nondegree) said, "I really like to see the kids get involved, especially at a young age."

Richardson was happy with the audience turnout and hopes next year's program will be bigger and perhaps its content would be more directed by the audience. With the feedback from yesterday's attendees, Richardson, who was taught to intertwine personal research with community action, said she will coordinate with her colleagues to organize future Read-Ins.