Citizens: A Conversation on Race, Identity, and Democracy

Ages: 14 & Up

Using Claudia Rankine’s book Citizen: An American Lyric, which recounts acts of racism in lyrical prose poems, as a jumping off point, we will engage in discussion and writing around racial, identity, and social justice issues. We will examine the question of what makes a person the “other.” Through open, ongoing dialogue and an arts process students will create original stories of everyday encounters with nuances of racism and identity, to facilitate a healing dialogue. An anthology of student work will be collected at the end of the week to share with friends and family. Students will receive a copy of Rankine’s book.