Let the Circle Be Unbroken: A Black Women's Literature Circle as Liberatory Space

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In response to Dr. Howard’s poignant question “What is required to imagine educational spaces free of racial injustice?” the proposed session submission examines how a virtual literature circle functioned as an affirming cultural space for Black women scholar-activists. The exploration of Black women-authored stories in the literature circle centered community-building and created space for deep soul work (Gill, 2022), allowing us to find value in expressing our identities, name oppressive structures of power, and resist white supremacy patriarchy. Grounded in intersectional narrative inquiry (Esposito & Evans-Winters, 2021) and Black feminist theories, we examine how our participation in the circle contributed to our capacity to strive, resist, adapt, and heal in the context of an international health crisis and ongoing racial pandemics.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Critical Examination of Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender in Education

Chair

• Venus E. Evans-Winters, The Ohio State University

Participants

• Theresa Y. Robinson, Elmhurst University

• Amber Pabon, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

• Dyanis Conrad, Randolph-Macon College

Papers

• Let the Circle Be Unbroken: Black Women's Literature Circle as Liberatory Space - Amber Pabon, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania; Theresa Y. Robinson, Elmhurst University; Dyanis Conrad, Randolph-Macon College; Janice Baines, University of South Carolina

• Reclaiming My Joy: A Black Woman Scholar’s Literature Circle Experience - Amber Pabon, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

• Mothering and Daughtering During Dual Pandemics: Creating a STEM Sanctuary - Theresa Y. Robinson, Elmhurst University

• (Re)claiming Self: Sisterhood as a Tool of Survivance in Higher Education - Dyanis Conrad, Randolph-Macon College

Discussant

• Amber Pabon, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania