TOPEKA – Humanities Kansas awarded $1,481.00 to the Fort Scott Community College Library last fall to support a community read project. Susie Arvidson serves as project director. Due to various COVID restrictions, the event was postponed. FSCC is pleased to announce that the community read project will kick off the week of September 6, 2021.
This project encourages the FSCC campus community to interact with the local communities in a common book reading and discussions club. The books to be read are A Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks and The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. Parks’ book was selected as this autobiography addresses the themes of racism, discrimination, and poverty and how the author chose to address and combat those issues. Moore’s book was selected as it addresses the issues of fate/choice, race, inequality, injustice, discipline, and violence culminating in the support of the theme of expressions of truth.
Readings will occur individually with a suggested reading timeline. Discussions will occur through in-person book discussions hosted on the college campus and various hosting locations throughout the community when possible. Synchronous virtual meetings are available upon request, as well as some discussion via social media. Finally, each reading and discussion will culminate with a guest speaker who will speak on the overall, central theme of culture and diversity.
The first book to be read will be the Gordon Parks book. The culminate during the Gordon Parks Celebration hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College. This event will be an informal book discussion with John Mason, Associate Professor, , Associate Chair, University of Virginia Department of History and Eli Reed, Choice of Weapons Honoree.
“Humanities Kansas believes that communities are strengthened through the exchange of stories and ideas,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director. “This project brings the people of Fort Scott together to read, discuss, and share experiences, encouraging community connection and engagement on significant topics.”
If you are interested in participating you can contact Susie Arvidson at susiea@fortscott.edu or call 620.223.2700, ext. 3441.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
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