Seavey Reading Series: Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat by Khalisa Rae

One returning event we have here on campus that I really adore is the Seavey Reading Series, which is an event where authors are brought to SU to give a free reading. It’s such an exciting opportunity to get to hear work from successful authors! Just a few weeks ago on Tuesday, October 21st, SU welcomed the amazing Khalisa Rae to our campus to read some poems from her book Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat. In addition to this amazing reading, the series itself has expanded to include a book club! In spirit of this, I would like to highlight the entire event.

Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat

This is a gorgeous books full of incredible language and hard-hitting themes. Rae drives home the messages she wishes to convey, and she really gives the reader a new perspective on the life they live as well as the impact they have on others. These poems specifically speak to the experience of being a black person in the United States, the affect of slavery on those living today, and how Rae’s different identities have shaped her life. I’m afraid I cannot do her poems justice in just a few short words, so be sure to check it out!

The Book Club

The Seavey Reading Series Book Club (a bit of a mouthful) is a new feature of the series! Every Sunday before a reading, anyone who is interested in or has read the book is welcome to attend the meeting in the library. I went to the most recent one, and it was a great time. Not only were there a lot of delicious snacks (we barely made a dent in them), but there was also an incredibly insightful discussion. I really enjoyed sitting amongst my peers and discussing these topics. Everyone was very open and accepting of new ideas, and you could tell they had an appreciation for the poetry in front of them. Also, if you are worried about getting your hands on a copy, don’t be! The Writer’s Institute provides the library with extra copies for the book club, and they will be on display. Anyway, I highly recommend coming to the next one!

The Reading

Talk about inspiring! Rae has a powerful voice that naturally draws attention to her words. It was so easy to become immersed in what she was saying and to really take it all in. It was especially exciting when she announced she would be reading newly-published work, meaning we were the first to hear her read it! She even left time for questions at the end, imparting very good guidance. It’s not every day you get to talk to a published author (unless you are in the creative writing program, haha).

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was very impressed by Rae’s stage-presence and the quality of her work! It was very nice to gain more perspective and meet other people passionate about writing. I’m very excited for the next reading, and I hope to see you there!

Eowyn Thompson ’29 is a creative writing and publishing & editing double major. She is a Marketing and Outreach Student Manager for the Blough-Weis Library as well as its Student Government Association Liaison. Additionally, she is an executive of the Student Library Advisory Committee, a member of Chorale and Studio SU, and she contributes to The Quill.