The Mississippi Humanities Council and Mass Humanities announce a series of six interactive, online programs to facilitate conversation between our two states. We will be examining intersecting points in our histories, exploring our rich literary traditions, and engaging in cross-state dialogue. By reflecting on our states’ identities in relationship to each other, this series aims to build understanding and offer new perspectives. At a time when the pandemic has created a greater sense of isolation, we hope to forge connections.
This first conversation in the MS + MA series explores images and impressions of our two states, bringing curiosity to questions about how we view each other. Our two speakers, Mississippi author Ralph Eubanks and Massachusetts author Michael Gorra, will draw on the literary heritage of Mississippi and Massachusetts to offer reflections on how our greatest writers have informed and complicated our views of each other. Participants will also engage in conversations with residents from both states in small breakout groups, sharing and examining their own impressions of our two states and discussing what they learned from our two speakers.
Participation is free, but space is limited and registration is required.
Once you have registered, you will be sent a short survey in mid-November asking for your impressions of how you view Massachusetts and how you think residents in Massachusetts view Mississippi. In late November, you will also be sent two very short excerpts from works by a writer in each state that you can read ahead of time. The link to access the event online will be sent a few days before the event.
