READS and the Legacy of Morrison

Novelist, critic, Nobel Laureate, speaker, teacher, editor, mother, mentor, and friend, Toni Morrison passed away in August of 2019.

Over the last year, many organizations have considered her extraordinary contributions to the world of letters, the project of social justice and Black liberation, and the models for mentorship, editorship and pedagogy she provided. These acts of commemoration have taken form as marathon readings of her work, conference panels, syllabi, performances, and murals. The variety of events and the array of those emotionally bound and intellectual engaged with Morrison’s work testified to the enduring reach of this phenomenal Black woman.

In a post where we remarked upon her life and death, we forecasted our plans to dedicate time to thinking about Morrison’s work in relation to the work of this organization and its members. The year 2020 has unfurled in a way none of us could anticipate as the twin pandemics of systemic anti-Black racism and COVID-19 continues to disproportionately devastate communities already marginalized and exploited by the prevailing order.Though we can not meet in the way we are accustomed, returning to Morrison’s work remains as urgent as ever, especially in the field of Classics.

Gather with us for a session of READS dedicated to Toni Morrison the critic at the 2021 SCS (virtual) Annual Meeting, a session fittingly constructed around the meaningful presence of absence. For more details, see the accompanying post.