November: Claudia Rankine Wrap-Up

Having flown in from across the country, Claudia Rankine gave her multi-media reading to a full house. Claudia began her reading by playing a DVD which consisted of slow visuals, such as a scene from the World Cup or strangers sleeping on planes. One of the more interesting pieces featured two layers of sound: phone calls from twin towers on 9/11, and Claudia’s slow, precise voice reading her work. After the DVD, Claudia continued to read from her book, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.

As usual, a large crowd, including Mrs. Rankine herself, stayed for the student readers. From Loyola, Rachel Crosbie read her creative non-fiction piece about how she ended up in New Orleans; from UNO, 1718’s own Britton Troy Blackall read some of his poems (including one dedicated to ovaries); and Chanel Clark from Tulane read poems that silenced the room.

The entire reading was incredible, though we would expect no less from our amazing 1718 readers and staff. Thanks to everyone who came out, and be sure to attend the last reading of the semester on December 2nd with Amanda Boyden.