Danielle’s blog

The Richard Wright Symposium was a celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Richard Wright’s birth. Professor Adalaine Holton welcomed everyone and introduced the four presenters: Dean Robert Gregg, Dr. Linda Nelson, Dr. Donnetrice Allison, and Mr. Ricky Epps-Kearny. Dean Gregg compared the lives and views of Richard Wright and James Baldwin. Dr. Nelson spoke of the short story “Down by the Riverside”; she looked at the repeated themes of “colored images and hallowed prayer” and how they conveyed the idea that “expectation of redemption outside oneself is futile”. Dr. Allison spoke of the “element of protest” in Richard Wright’s work in general. Finally, Mr. Kearny spoke of his personal experience; as a young person, he did not enjoy reading, but “Richard Wright changed that.” Professor Beverly Vaughn and the Highest Praise singers performed two songs, one being “Down by the Riverside”. The Richard Wright Writing Contest winners, Kimone Hyman, Liz Livingston, and Shannon Cummins each read their winning entry. Ms. Hyman wrote a poem comparing Richard Wright to a flood; her poem “Flood Warning” stated how this man and his work was like a “natural force that changed the environment”. Ms. Cummins short story “Bundles” was about Richard Wright’s murdered uncle. Ms. Livingston wrote an essay on how Wright’s story “Down by the Riverside” predicted the “racial climate that would come to exist during Hurricane Katrina”. After the panel members had each spoken, the audience was invited to ask questions or give comments about what had been presented.

Dean Gregg presented some interesting facts about Richard Wright’s life. Until we read “Down by the Riverside” in Literary Methodologies, I had never heard of Richard Wright; consequently I knew nothing of his life. For example, I was unaware that he was born in near Naches, Mississippi, moved later to Chicago, and then finally to Paris, France. I enjoyed Dean Gregg’s presentation because of these details; he made Wright real to me, instead of just the name behind “Down by the Riverside”. Dr. Allison’s presentation did the same thing; it added to who Richard Wright actually was in life. She called him a “social critic” whose writing “dealt with racism, with the rigidity of religion, and politics”. She said that he felt there were so many stories about the black experience that were going to be lost because they had not been written down. She also read a few excerpts that really displayed Wright’s personality. In one of which, he had to pretend that he was picking up books from the library for a white man, so that he himself could read them. Dr. Allison spoke of Wright’s “sarcastic style”, which was evident in the excerpts that she read. I enjoyed this part of the presentation the most; it added more details and humanity to the mental image I had of Wright. Dr. Nelson’s presentation on “Down by the Riverside”, added to this image by explaining what apparently were common themes in Wright’s work. She clearly exposed his existentialist views through the citation and compilation of specific lines from the story. Dr. Nelson’s presentation was enjoyable for me because she was analyzing a text with which I was familiar. It also continued to flesh out who Wright was as a man. Mr. Kearny’s speech was a personal one, explaining how Wright’s work had influenced him as an individual. I felt that this presentation was an appropriate one on which to end that section of the symposium; enough background on Wright had been given for someone like me, with little knowledge of Wright, to be able to appreciate Mr. Kearny’s feelings. The musical presentation that followed the speakers was wonderful; it contributed nicely to the mood of the evening. Ms. Hyman, Ms. Cummins, and Ms. Livingston’s reading of their work was a pleasant conclusion to the evening; I really enjoyed hearing the ideas and work of other young women such as myself.

I’m glad that I chose to attend this event. I appreciated the speeches of all the presenters, and the overall tone of respect for Richard Wright and his work that was apparent in those presentations; it truly felt like the birthday celebration it was intended to be. I had no previous knowledge of this author’s life, and the symposium was an enjoyable way for me to learn about him. After reading “Down by the Riverside”, I wasn’t necessarily enthused about reading more of Wright’s work. After attending this symposium, however, I not only want to continue reading his works, but I also want to pass them on to other people in my life.