Each summer, the summer book series. brings an opportunity to discuss something new and interesting, but even more, it is an opportunity to connect the world of education to other parts of life. Housing issues. Art. Activism. History. Black feminism. Having conversations with fellow educators and parents. This summer I selected Looking for Lorraine because I am fascinated by Lorraine Hansberry and her life is now on full display thanks to the expertise and pristine research of Imani Perry. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in seeing how Blackness, socialism, communism, theater, writing, music, Chicago, New York City, housing laws, racism, womanhood, friendship, James Baldwin, Nina Simone, gender, and sexuality intersect and combine. Then this is the book for you. Before I share the words from some of the participants, I want to speak about Ms. Rosita.
Ms. Rosita joined us on Day 2 and she brought such an amazing breadth of history with her. She is a retired Philadelphia Public School teacher who was born and raised in Chicago. She attended the same high school with Lorraine but did not know her. We swapped stories about the city because, like her, my mother, grandmother, and aunt also attended nearby elementary schools. I saw my family in her stories. I saw myself. Chicago continues to live with me. Always a transplant.
We also had participants who remember seeing Raisin in the Sun at the movies when it first came out. The space was very inter-generational and it included fellow artists, educators, social workers, and retired educators. And this is why I am most grateful for the conversations and fast camaraderie. It was beautiful and necessary at a time when many of us are speaking in echo chambers with people who have similar backgrounds and beliefs.
Many of us only know Raisin in the Sun and truthfully, many of us only know the surface of it. When it opened on Broadway, the audience was filled with Black people. Black people! James Baldwin even quipped how many Black people came to see it. The construct of the play had no starring role, it was an ensemble piece. Each character and their moments were intricately connected and dependent on each other. She was the first Black female playwright to be on Broadway. Only because her mentor and friend Alice Childress another Black female playwright declined an earlier offer because she did not like the way the producers attempted to whiten her work. Her marriage and friendship with her husband was not traditional but he fiercely protected her memories and writings long after her death. And her friendships with James Baldwin and Nina Simone was a "Trinity" like no other. I truly believe they were both affected on a cellular level by her passing too soon. The book challenges and stretches our ideas of blackness and political action. It challenges our idea of blackness and class. But for me, it was a confirmation that art, writing, and political action are not separate entities. Like Raisin, they are also an ensemble predicated on the internal workings of an individual that provides illumination to how one truly sees themselves. One without the other, I dare say results in a fractured soul and spirit. And Lorraine's life was a testimony to that as she rode the ebbs and flows of joy, insecurity, confidence, passion, anger, and love.
Final comments and reflections:
(Kevin) After our discussions, there were two passages from Looking for Lorraine that stood out to me:
"Hence, there was no necessary tension between art and politics, according to Lorraine. She believed, instead, that great art required one to say something about society" (108).
"Though she was an internationalist, and something of a Black nationalist, a Marxist, and a socialist, she was also deeply American. She understood that to be a thing of beauty and horror at once" (183).
I chose these two because I think they speak to the tension at the heart of Lorraine's art. When she expressed her disappointment or rage at the country, whether it was through her art or speaking out about political issues, it was coming from a place of profound disappointment rather than scorn: this was her country, and it owed her so much better.
Thanks for all of your work leading this group. I found myself learning so much from reading Perry's book, but even more from the way you lead discussions. My copy of the book is annotated to death with ideas for how to teach Raisin. So, thank you.
(Jody) Tamara, thanks for much for a great book group! Every summer I've thought about joining one of these groups, but this is actually the first time I did, and it was a wonderful experience. I loved the book, and found it readable and enjoyable, and also deep and complex, so there was plenty to talk about. I really appreciated the facilitation, which helped us get to key topics and also allowed for relevant diversions. What a treat to hear of the connections you, Rosita, and others had with the place and other aspects of the material we were reading about. I also loved the way people put additional materials into the chatbox, and the related materials you sent us. And I was amazed at how in just three sessions we developed such a great group dynamic and rich bodies of knowledge.
(Danina) I actually highlighted quite a bit in this book, but a statement that really stood out to me is on page 162.
It reads, "...Lorraine emphasized self-determination for Black people. She was neither interested in status nor seeing Black folks manipulated by elites, whether said elites be Black or white. She wanted to be led by the people."
This particular quote drew my attention because it sums up Lorraine's overall philosophy about activism. She also shows that leadership is built from the ground up and that even as leaders ascend, they should do so in a manner that is uncompromising of their integrity and humility.....good leaders always center the people. Here Lorraine also shows her commitment to activism and the spirit of selfless revolution for and by the people.
This Summer Reading Series allowed me to take away some great insights with regards to what leadership looks like, and how we can apply lessons learned during earlier civil rights struggles to today's mission. I appreciate the various perspectives that were brought to the table and the opportunity to reflect on the past, for guidance as we move into the future. Special thanks to Tamara and Angela for creating an environment that fostered engagement, critical analysis, and a respect for various points of view! I am already looking forward to Summer Reading next year!
(Valerie) Thank you again for another awesome facilitation of the book, Looking for Lorraine. I have been in several book clubs in my life and have yet to experience one like this. Your facilitation is on point and lends itself to a variety of perspectives from art, theatre/film, literature, history, culture, and the politics of our time. The recommended readings and articles shared related to the topic and themes covered in the book and made for a lively discussion.
I did not get a chance to read the book but the rich discussion among the participants made me feel like I had. This was a well-read group and tonight to have Ms. Rosita share her personal experience and connections with Lorraine topped things off for me. The group was also inclusive and respectful of one another's opinions. I felt as a black woman comfortable and unapologetic in the comments I made. Thanks to you and the group for this wonderful experience.
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